Favorable Sustained Virologic Response Rates Using Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapies at a Large Safety-Net Hospital

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) have transformed hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment.
• Evaluating DAA effectiveness in underserved populations is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the clinical effectiveness of DAAs in a safety-net patient group.
• To identify factors associated with treatment success in this population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 174 patients receiving DAAs for chronic HCV.
• Sustained virologic response (SVR) was the primary outcome, defined as undetectable viral load 12 weeks post-treatment.
• Multivariate analysis examined factors influencing SVR.

Main Results:

• An overall SVR rate of 87.4% was achieved.
• Patients with insurance (OR 7.25) and timely therapy completion (OR 4.55) showed significantly higher SVR.
• Loss to follow-up was a primary reason for treatment failure.

Conclusions:

• High SVR rates are achievable with DAAs in safety-net populations.
• Insurance status and adherence are key factors for successful HCV treatment.
• Strategies to improve follow-up are needed to maximize SVR rates.