Comparing Treatment Response Between Older and Younger Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection on Direct-acting Antiviral Agents
Francis, A.K.; Beaudoin, F.L.; Naidjate, S.S.; Berard-Collins, C.; Zullo, A.R.
Rhode Island Medical Journal 103(5): 35-40
2020
ISSN/ISBN: 2327-2228 PMID: 32481778 Accession: 071476411
To compare sustained virologic response 12 weeks post-treatment completion (SVR12) and patient characteristics for older versus younger patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) receiving direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agent therapy. This retrospective cohort study included patients with chronic HCV who received DAA therapy, between 2015 and 2018, in the largest health system in Rhode Island (N=154). Patient characteristics, comorbid diagnoses, and SVR12 status were compared between older (aged ≥60 years) and younger (<60 years) adults using chi-squared tests. Overall, 94.1% (95% CI: 90.4-97.8) achieved SVR12; response rates were 91.8% (95% CI: 84.9-98.6) for older adults and 95.6% (95% CI: 91.5-99.8) for younger adults (p=0.51). Our findings refute the historical notion that older adults were a "difficult-to-treat" subpopulation for whom clinicians should expect less treatment success. This is no longer the case with DAA therapy.