Abstract
Background: Pakistan has approximately eight million Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infected patients. Initial
regimen of interferon-based along with ribavirin showed SVR (Sustained Virological Response Rate) of up to
50%. The new standard Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) therapy with improved response rates raised SVR rates
to as high as 90%. This study was conducted to determine the outcome of the novel combined DAA regimen
in hepatitis C infected patients in Karachi, Pakistan.
Methods: Fifty patients with infected with HCV were participants of this study. They were from the gastroenterology ward and OPD Jinnah Medical Hospital (JMCH), Karachi. Initial investigations included blood
samples for complete picture (CP) and liver function test (LFT). After performing qualitative Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR), patients diagnosed with hepatitis C (pangenotypes) were prescribed DAA therapy.
Results: Out of total fifty patients diagnosed with HCV infection, forty compensated patients of hepatitis C
were prescribed combination of Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir, of these thirty five patients (100%) had shown to
be PCR negative after three months of therapy and negative PCR after 3 months follow-up, five patients
were lost to follow up. Ten patients decompensated (with ascites, cirrhosis or hepatic encephalopathy)
were prescribed Sofosbuvir + Velpatasvir along with ribavirin, seven (100%) had shown to be PCR negative
and three were lost to follow up.
Conclusion: Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir was most effective combination of direct antiviral regimen in treatment of HCV pan-genotype patients, with least adverse-effects and much better outcome in both compensated and decompensated (with ascites and cirrhosis) hepatitis C infected patients.
Samia Perwaiz Khan, Ajeet Kumar, Muslim Abbas, Fadieleh A. Sohail, Rubina Ghani. (2020) Combination of Direct Antiviral Therapy in Hepatitis C Patients, Population of Karachi, The Pakistan Journal of Medicine and Dentistry, Volume 9, Issue-1.
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