Predictive factors for sustained virological response after treatment with pegylated interferon α-2a and ribavirin in patients infected with HCV genotypes 2 and 3

Real-world effectiveness and safety of direct-acting antivirals in hepatitis C virus patients with mental disorders

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that 58 million people worldwide are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Patients with severe psychiatric disorders could not be treated with previously available interferon-based therapies due to their unfavorable side effect profile. This has changed with the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAA), although their real-life tolerance and effectiveness in patients with different psychiatric disorders remain to be demonstrated.

AIM

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of DAA in patients with various mental illnesses.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study encompassing 14272 patients treated with DAA for chronic hepatitis C in 22 Polish hepatology centers, including 942 individuals diagnosed with a mental disorder (anxiety disorder, bipolar affective disorder, depression, anxiety-depressive disorder, personality disorder, schizophrenia, sleep disorder, substance abuse disorder, and mental illness without a specific diagnosis). The safety and effectiveness of DAA in this group were compared to those in a group without psychiatric illness (n = 13330). Antiviral therapy was considered successful if serum ribonucleic acid (RNA) of HCV was undetectable 12 wk after its completion [sustained virologic response (SVR)]. Safety data, including the incidence of adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), and deaths, and the frequency of treatment modification and discontinuation, were collected during therapy and up to 12 wk after treatment completion. The entire study population was included in the intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Per-protocol (PP) analysis concerned patients who underwent HCV RNA evaluation 12 wk after completing treatment.

RESULTS

Among patients with mental illness, there was a significantly higher percentage of men, treatment-naive patients, obese, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus-coinfected, patients with cirrhosis, and those infected with genotype 3 (GT3) while infection with GT1b was more frequent in the population without psychiatric disorders. The cure rate calculated PP was not significantly different in the two groups analyzed, with a SVR of 96.9% and 97.7%, respectively. Although patients with bipolar disorder achieved a significantly lower SVR, the multivariate analysis excluded it as an independent predictor of treatment non-response. Male sex, GT3 infection, cirrhosis, and failure of previous therapy were identified as independent negative predictors. The percentage of patients who completed the planned therapy did not differ between groups with and without mental disorders. In six patients, symptoms of mental illness (depression, schizophrenia) worsened, of which two discontinued treatments for this reason. New episodes of sleep disorders occurred significantly more often in patients with mental disorders. Patients with mental illness were more frequently lost to follow-up (4.2% vs 2.5%).

CONCLUSION

DAA treatment is safe and effective in HCV-infected patients with mental disorders. No specific psychiatric diagnosis lowered the chance of successful antiviral treatment.

Patients with severe mental illness and hepatitis C virus infection benefit from new pangenotypic direct-acting antivirals: Results of a literature review

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem that can results in cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and even death. HCV infection is 3-20-fold more prevalent among patients with versus without severe mental illness (SMI), such as major depressive disorder, personality disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Treatment options for HCV were formerly based on pegylated interferon alpha, which is associated with neuropsychiatric adverse events, and this contributed to the exclusion of patients with SMI from HCV treatment, elimination programmes, and clinical trials. Moreover, the assumption of poor adherence, scant access to healthcare and the stigma and vulnerability of this population emerged as barriers and contributed to the low rates of treatment and efficacy.

METHODS

This paper reviews the literature published between December 2010 and December 2020 exploring the epidemiology of HCV in patients with SMI, and vice versa, the effect of HCV infection, barriers to the management of illness in these patients, and benefits of new therapeutic options with pangenotypic direct antiviral agents (DAAs).

RESULTS

The approval of DAAs has changed the paradigm of HCV infection treatment. DAAs have proven to be an equally efficacious and safe option that improves quality of life (QoL) in patients SMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of the consequences of the HCV infection and the benefits of treatment with new pangenotypic DAAs among psychiatrists can increase screening, referral and treatment of HCV infection in patients with SMI.

Efficacy and tolerability of DAAs in HCV-monoinfected and HCV/HIV-coinfected patients with psychiatric disorders

BACKGROUND

Few data are available regarding the use of direct antiviral agents (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C in psychiatric patients. The aim of the study is to assess safety and outcome of DAAs in patients with psychiatric comorbidities.

METHODS

This retrospective, observational, single-centre study enrolled patients treated with psychiatric drugs who initiated DAAs between 2015 and 2018. Patients were classified into two groups: A (on anxiolitycs/antidepressant) and B (on antipsychotics). Week-12 sustained virological response (SVR-12) and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-four patients were included (A:101; B:43). Patients were 49.3% males, mean age 60 years (SD ± 13.5); 31.9% cirrhotic; 125 (86.8%) HCV-monoinfected and 19 (13.2%) HCV /HIV-coinfected. Twenty patients (13.8%) required a change of psychiatric therapy before initiation of DAA. Overall, SVR-12 was achieved in 88.2% of subjects in intention-to-treat(ITT)-analysis. Lower SVR rates were observed in group B vs A (79% vs 92%, p = 0.045) and in those changing psychiatric drugs vs others (8% vs 30%, p = 0.015). According to per-protocol (PP)-analysis, SVR-12 was achieved in 93/95 (97.9%) in group A versus 34/36 (94.4%) in group B (p = 0.30). At least one AE occurred in 60 patients (41.6%), including 10 severe AEs, leading to 3 discontinuations. AEs were more frequently reported in group A (p = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

The study confirms effectiveness and safety of DAA-based treatment also in this special population, even if a careful evaluation of history and drug-drug interactions is warranted.

Direct-acting antiviral treatment in real world patients with hepatitis C not associated with psychiatric side effects: a prospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has evolved from interferon (IFN)-based treatments to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Patients with HCV have an elevated psychiatric morbidity (including substance abuse) and patients with such comorbidity have often been excluded from treatment with IFN. To date, little is known about psychiatric adverse effects of DAA-based regimens. We therefore aimed to study the psychiatric side effects of new IFN-free treatment for HCV (including depressive symptoms and sleep) in real world patients also including those with a history of psychiatric diagnosis, substance abuse or drug dependence.

METHODS

Consecutive patients were monitored during treatment with three of the latest DAA agents (sofosbuvir, simeprevir and daclatasvir). Repeated expert psychiatric assessments from baseline to 12 weeks post-treatment were performed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) clinical version and the self-report versions of the Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS-S) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Friedman's test was performed to calculate differences in the MADRS-S and PSQI over time. In a post-hoc analysis Wilcoxon's test was used to compare baseline depressive symptoms with those at post-treatment. Spearman's rank correlation test was conducted in another post-hoc analysis to evaluate the correlation between symptoms of depression and HCV viral load at baseline.

RESULTS

At baseline, 15/17 patients (88%) had a history of any psychiatric diagnosis; 11 (65%) had a history of substance abuse or dependence; and 11 (65%) had previously been treated with IFN and six of those had experienced psychiatric side effects. There was no correlation between depressive symptoms and HCV viral load at baseline. Symptoms of depression did not increase during DAA treatment and were lower 12 weeks post-treatment compared with baseline: MADRS-S 10.7 vs. 8.3 (p = 0.01). This observation held when excluding patients taking antidepressant medication. Sleep quality did not significantly change during treatment. Adherence to treatment was estimated to 95% and sustained virological response was 88%.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite high psychiatric morbidity, including previous substance abuse, patients successfully completed DAA treatment without increasing depressive symptoms or sleep disturbance. Symptoms of depression were significantly reduced 12 weeks after DAA treatment.

Evaluating psychiatric outcomes associated with direct-acting antiviral treatment in veterans with hepatitis C infection

Introduction:

Approximately 70% of veterans with hepatitis C virus infection have at least one psychiatric illness. The advent of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy provided an alternative to interferon-alpha regimens and revolutionized treatment, however, the extent of psychiatric effects attributed to these agents are unclear. The primary objective of this pilot study was to prospectively analyze psychiatric outcomes, specifically depression, in veterans with hepatitis C virus infection who are initiated on DAA therapy.

Methods:

In this single center, prospective cohort study, psychiatric outcomes were analyzed using Patient Health Questionnaire assessments at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 12 of complete DAA treatment. Outcome analysis were stratified based on specific DAA therapy and preexisting mental illness (mental health [MH] subjects and non-MH subjects), with a sub-analysis of major depressive disorder patients.

Results:

Analysis included 48 patients, majority males (96%), with a mean age of 59.4 years (±8.0). Twenty-four (50%) patients had a preexisting MH diagnosis, with major depressive disorder being the most common MH diagnosis (50%, n = 12). Despite a trend toward improvement, no significant changes in questionnaire scores after 12 weeks of DAA therapy were observed for all patient groups (P > .05). Neither MH subjects nor non-MH subjects displayed a significant change in questionnaire scores from baseline to end of treatment (P > .05). No patients required acute psychiatric interventions during DAA treatment.

Discussion:

Treatment with DAA therapy was not associated with psychiatric decompensation. Data from this pilot study supports the safe utilization of DAA therapy in hepatitis C virus patients with preexisting MH illness as it appears to be devoid of depressive and psychiatric side effects.

Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Efficasy of Chronic HCV Infection Among Intravenous Drug Users in Tuzla Canton

Introduction:

Chronic HCV infection is chronic inflamatory liver disease caused by hepatitis C virus. Anti HCV prevalence among intravenous drug users (IVDU) is very high and it accounts 40% -90% (60%-90%) with the risk of 80% of developing the chronic infection.

Aim:

The aims of this study were: a) to compare clinical characteristics of chronic HCV infection among IVDU and non-users population and to detect their impact to treatment outcome; b) to investigate the treatment efficacy comparing sustained viral response (SVR) in these two populations in Tuzla Canton.

Patients and methods:

The study was retrospective-prospective and included 45 IVDU of both sexes from Tuzla Canton which were treated from chronic HCV infection with Pegilated interferon 2a/2b + ribavirin in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Clinic for Internal Disease of University Clinical Centre in Tuzla. The control group were presented by non-users who completed therapy in both Clinics. For statistical analyses it was used statistical package SPSS 20,0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA) with tests of descriptive statistics with measures of central tendency and dispersion. Quantitative variables were tested by t-test or by Mann-Whitney test. Qualitative variables were tested by hi-square test or by Fisher’s test. The standard analyse of level’s risk was used too. The analyse of predictive value of EVR for achieving the ETR and SVR was done by cross-tabulation. The impact of known factors for achieving the SVR was evaluated by logistic regression analyses. All tests were done with statistical level of significance of 95% (p=0,05).

Results:

Men were more dominant in the test group (93,3% / 61,7%), also younger age (p<0,001) and lower BMI (p=0,019). The test group had significant higher basal values of Le, Hb, Plt and ALT and tendency to lower stages of fibrosis (p=0,08). The difference in genotype frequencies was statistically significant (p=0,001) with clearly dominance of G3 and G4 among IVDU. Treatment was not complited by two patients in both groups (4,4% /3,3%). EVR was significantly higher in test group (p=0,001) so did the ETR (p=0,002) and SVR (p<0,001). Predictive factors for SVR were: age (negative predictive factor), male sex, absence of reduction of pegilated interferon and ribavirin, Metavir stage of fibrosis and presence of EVR.

Conclusion:

Population of IVDU were adherent to treatment protocol and with excellent treatment response they justified the hope of health care workers for success treatment of this population.

The impact of hepatitis C virus outside the liver: Evidence from Asia

Between 80 and 115 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus, with 60%-90% of these being undiagnosed. Untreated chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is associated with progressive liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and liver-related mortality. A number of extrahepatic manifestations are also reported in CHC patients, further adding to the burden of the disease. CHC also impacts patients in terms of lower health-related quality of life, higher levels of fatigue and reduced productivity. Furthermore, the later stages of disease are costly for both healthcare systems and society. Pegylated-interferon (PEG-IFN)+ribavirin (RBV), for many years the mainstay of treatment, leads to sustained virological response (SVR) in 40%-70% of patients. However, a substantial number of patients are ineligible for treatment, and many patients fail to achieve SVR with this regimen. Furthermore, PEG-IFN+RBV leads to impairment of patient-reported outcomes during treatment, and most patients suffer from adverse events, associated with poor adherence, treatment discontinuation and treatment failure. The approval of second-generation direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of CHC patients. All-oral, PEG-IFN and RBV-free regimens have higher efficacy rates, shorter treatment durations, fewer adverse events, higher adherence rates and improvement in PROs from as early as Week 4, compared to PEG-IFN+RBV regimens. The aim of this article is to review the evidence for HCV infection as a systemic disease, summarizing the impact of hepatitis C and its treatments on clinical, patient and economic outcomes, with a focus on data from Asia and Japan specifically.

Predictors of sustained virological response in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 3 infection

Aim of the study

To assess predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 treated with standard therapy.

Material and methods

We retrospectively investigated data of 116 consecutive treatment-naïve patients chronically infected with HCV genotype 3, treated with pegylated interferon alpha (PegIFNα) and ribavirin (RBV) for 24 weeks. HCV RNA at week 4 (rapid virological response – RVR) and week 12 (early virological response – EVR) were measured in 85 and 105 patients respectively. Liver biopsy data were available for 103 patients. The variables were compared between patients with an SVR and those without.

Results

Overall 70.7% of patients achieved an SVR. Pretreatment factors including younger age, mild liver fibrosis as well as normal values of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and platelet count were significantly associated with higher SVR rate in univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis only baseline platelet count > 140 000/µl and normal GGT activity were correlated with higher SVR rate. At weeks 4 and 12 HCV RNA was undetectable in 34.1% and 84.8% of patients respectively. The SVR rate was significantly higher in patients with an RVR compared to those without (p = 0.002). Only 2 patients with a rapid and early virological response did not achieve an SVR; both had negative pretreatment prognostic factors.

Conclusions

In treatment-naïve patients with genotype 3 HCV infection, low baseline platelet count and elevated GGT activity were significantly associated with poor response to PegIFNα and RBV. Achieving a rapid and early virological response was associated with higher likelihood of an SVR.

Adherence to treatment of chronic hepatitis C: from interferon containing regimens to interferon and ribavirin free regimens

Patients' experience during treatment may affect treatment adherence. Our aim was to assess the impact of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) on adherence to different anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) regimens.Clinical, demographic, and PRO data (short form-36 [SF-36], chronic liver disease questionnaire-hepatitis C version [CLDQ-HCV], functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue [FACIT-F], work productivity and activity impairment: specific health problem [WPAI:SHP]) from 13 multinational clinical trials of anti-HCV treatment were available. Treatment adherence was defined as >80% of prescribed doses taken.Included were 4825 HCV patients. Regimens were grouped into: interferon- and ribavirin (RBV)-containing (±sofosbuvir [SOF]), interferon-free RBV-containing (RBV + SOF ± ledipasvir [LDV]), and interferon-free RBV-free (LDV/SOF). The adherence to these regimens were 77.6%, 84.3%, and 96.2%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Nonadherent patients were more likely to be unemployed and to have a greater PRO impairment at baseline (up to -5.3% lower PRO scores, P < 0.0001). During treatment with interferon- or RBV-based regimens, nonadherent patients experienced lower PROs and had larger decrements from their baseline PRO scores. In contrast, there were no significant declines in PRO scores (all P > 0.05) for the small number of patients who were nonadherent to LDV/SOF. In multivariate analysis, being treatment-naive, longer treatment duration, and receiving an interferon- or RBV-containing regimen were associated with a lower likelihood of adherence (all P < 0.003). Better baseline and on-treatment PRO scores were associated with a higher likelihood of adherence to interferon and RBV.The use of interferon and/or RBV, longer duration of treatment, and lower baseline and on-treatment PRO scores were linked to a decreased likelihood of being adherent to interferon + RBV-containing or interferon-free RBV-containing antiviral regimens. Interferon- and RBV-free regimens were associated with excellent adherence.

Costs and outcomes of treating chronic hepatitis C patients in routine care - results from a nationwide multicenter trial

Viral hepatitis is a major public health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Long-term consequences are the development of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of the study was to assess outcomes and costs of treating patients with chronic hepatitis C in clinical practice in Germany. We carried out a prospective noninterventional study. Information on treatment outcomes, resource utilization and quality of life was provided by 281 physicians throughout Germany. Data of 3708 monoinfected HCV-patients treated between 2008 and 2011 were analysed. Therapy consisted of peginterferon/ribavirin. Mean age of patients was 43.7 years, 60.3% were male and estimated duration of infection was 13.6 years. Predominantly genotype 1 (61.3%) or 3 (28.5%) infections were observed. Sustained viral response (SVR)-rates in most frequently observed genotypes were 49.2% in GT-1 and 61.9% in GT-3 treatment-naive patients (Relapser: GT-1: 35.3% and GT-3: 57.3%; Nonresponder: GT-1: 25.0% and GT-3: 33.3%). Average treatment costs were lowest in treatment-naive patients (€18 965) and higher in patients who failed previous treatments (relapsers: €24 753; nonresponders: €19 511). Differences according to genotype were observed. Average costs per SVR in treatment-naive patients were €44 744 for GT-1 and €22 218 for GT-3. Treatment was associated with a decrease in quality of life; post-treatment quality of life was higher in patients achieving SVR. Our insight on real-life treatment outcomes and costs can serve as a reference for a comparison with other treatments. There is high need for short-term and long-term cost-effectiveness analysis in real-life settings as newly introduced treatment strategies with direct acting antivirals result in high SVR-rates but are more costly.

Response Guided Interferon Therapy for Genotype 3 of Chronic Hepatitis C: Compliance and Outcome

OBJECTIVE

To determine compliance and improvement in sustained viral response (SVR) by following response guided therapy (RGT) plan of interferon and ribavirin, for genotype 3 in chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS

Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3, who were eligible for interferon-ribavirin therapy and consented for RGT, were included. Those with no rapid viral response (RVR), having coarse echotexture of liver or undergoing re-treatment, were advised 48 week treatment whereas, rest had 24 week standard therapy. PCR for HCV RNA checked 6 months after discontinuing treatment, was the primary end point of study.

RESULTS

Of 154 patients, included in the study with mean age of 39.9 (±10.84) and male to female ratio 1.4/1 (94/60), majority of patients, 136 (88.4%) were treatment naïve whereas, 18 (11.6%) were being retreated. On ultrasound, 63 (40.9%) patients had coarse liver and 33 (21.4%) had splenomegaly. RVR was achieved in 99 (64.3%) patients. Overall 66(42.8%) patients merited extended duration of therapy as per RGT plan but only 22 (33%) were compliant. Treatment related side effects were the dominant reason for declining RGT in 33 (75%) patients. SVR was noted in 111 (72.1%) patients. Those patients with extended therapy (RGT), had SVR 90.9% (20/22), although, better but statistically not significant than those who stopped therapy at 6 months 77.2% (34/44) (p value 0.11).

CONCLUSION

Response guided therapy plan did not improve SVR to pegylatedinterferon and ribavirin therapy in patients with genotype 3 and it has low patient compliance due to treatment related side effects.

Systematic review: patient-reported outcomes in chronic hepatitis C--the impact of liver disease and new treatment regimens

BACKGROUND

Treatment for chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) is rapidly changing and moving away from an interferon and ribavirin-based therapy to interferon-free ribavirin-free all oral regimens. These regimens are simpler and shorter to administer with very high efficacy rates and better side effect profiles. As advances in the treatment of CH-C occur, it is imperative to capture both clinical outcomes (efficacy and safety) as well as patient-reported outcomes (PROs). In fact, PROs assesses and quantifies the impact of these regimens on patient experience. PROs assess patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL) especially in the realms of fatigue and neuropsychiatric issues such as depression which can affect treatment adherence and work productivity.

AIM

To review the literature related to PRO's in HCV patients and summarise the impact of CH-C and its treatment on PROs.

METHODS

Databases Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed were searched from 1990 to October 2014 using a combination of MEsh, thesaurus terms and relevant text words: hepatitis C, CH-C, treatment, quality of life, health-related quality of life, fatigue, work productivity, adherence, patient-reported outcomes, direct acting anti-viral agents and second generation direct acting anti-viral agents. Each manuscript was assessed for pertinence to the issue of PROs in CH-C as well as the quality of study design and publications.

RESULTS

From the literature, it is evident that CH-C patients have baseline PRO impairment. Furthermore, treatment with interferon with or without ribavirin and first generation DAAs causes additional PRO burden which can negatively impact treatment adherence and indirectly, treatment efficacy and work productivity. The new treatment regimens with interferon- and ribavirin-free regimens not only have very high efficacy, but also result in the improvement of PRO scores as early as 2 weeks into treatment as well as possibly better adherence to treatment regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

CH-C and its treatment have been associated with patient-reported outcome impairment. The new IF-free and RBV-free regimens are associated with high efficacy and substantial improvement of patient-reported outcomes in clinical trial setting. Although very encouraging, more data are needed to assess patient-reported outcomes, adherence and work productivity of CH-C patients in the real world setting of clinical practice.