The effect of interferon-free regimens on health-related quality of life in East Asian patients with chronic hepatitis C
Journal
Liver International
Journal Volume
38
Journal Issue
7
Pages
1179-1187
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Younossi Z.M.
Stepanova M.
Henry L.
Han K.-H.
Ahn S.H.
Lim Y.-S.
Chuang W.-L.
Kinh N.
Lai C.L.
Yuen M.-F.
Chan H.L.-Y.
Lai W.
Abstract
Background: Interferon (IFN)-based regimens cause significant impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQL). Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure with IFN-free regimens improves HRQL. The effect of these regimens on HRQL in East Asian HCV patients is unclear due to lack of published evidence. Aim: To assess HRQL in East Asian HCV patients treated with an IFN-free regimen with sofosbuvir+ribavirin. Methods: Patients completed Short Form-36 (SF-36) before, during and after treatment. Results: 686 subjects were included (China: 56.7%; S. Korea: 18.8%; Taiwan: 12.7%; genotype 2: 40.8%; genotype 1: 29.6%; genotype 3: 18.4%; genotype 6: 11.2%; cirrhosis: 13.4%; treatment-na?ve: 66.5%). Patients received either pegylated-IFN, sofosbuvir, and ribavirin (IFN+SOF+RBV) for 12?weeks (n?=?155, genotypes 1 and 6) or SOF+RBV for 12-24?weeks (n?=?531, all genotypes). The SVR-12 rates were 95.5% and 96.0%; respectively (P?=.76). Baseline HRQL scores were similar between treatment groups (all P?>.05). By the end of treatment, the IFN-treated group experienced significant declines in most HRQL scores (on average, by up to ?13.3 points on a 0-100 scale from the baseline level, P?<.02) while subjects on SOF/RBV had milder impairments (up to ?5.4 points). Achieving SVR-12 was associated with HRQL improvement regardless of regimen (up to +2.9 points, P?<.05). The use of IFN-free treatment was a consistent independent predictor of higher HRQL scores during treatment (β: +2.1 to +10.7 points, P?<.02). Conclusions: East Asian HCV patients treated with an IFN-free regimen had better on-treatment HRQL scores. These data should inform policymakers about the comprehensive benefits of IFN-free regimens in East Asian patients with HCV. ? 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Subjects
direct-acting antivirals; mental health; physical functioning; sofosbuvir; vitality
SDGs
Other Subjects
peginterferon; ribavirin; sofosbuvir; antivirus agent; interferon; ribavirin; sofosbuvir; adult; antiviral therapy; Article; China; chronic hepatitis C; controlled clinical trial (topic); controlled study; East Asian; female; genotype; Hong Kong; human; major clinical study; male; multicenter study (topic); phase 3 clinical trial (topic); quality of life; Short Form 36; South Korea; Taiwan; Viet Nam; chronic hepatitis C; clinical trial; combination drug therapy; complication; Far East; genetics; Hepacivirus; liver cirrhosis; middle aged; multicenter study; phase 3 clinical trial; randomized controlled trial; severity of illness index; statistical model; sustained virologic response; time factor; Adult; Antiviral Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Far East; Female; Hepacivirus; Hepatitis C, Chronic; Humans; Interferons; Linear Models; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Ribavirin; Severity of Illness Index; Sofosbuvir; Sustained Virologic Response; Time Factors
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Type
journal article