Effectiveness of Sofosbuvir Combined with Direct Acting Antivirals in Hepatitis C Patients in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Qatar: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The effectiveness of sofosbuvir, as a new direct-acting antiviral (DAA) for chronic HCV infection, needs to be assessed and evaluated among patients with or without cirrhosis with all HCV genotypes.

Aims: This study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of chronic HCV treatment as part of a combination therapy for all HCV genotypes in patients with or without cirrhosis.

Study Design: A retrospective observational study.

Methodology: All patients who received sofosbuvir treatment from the Pharmacy Department of Hamad General Hospital during a 12-month period (between 2014 and 2015) were included. Patients were observed up to 12 weeks after treatment course completion. Data were analyzed descriptively and compared using a paired t-test (alpha=0.05).

Results: A total of 95 patients received sofosbuvir. All of these patients received sofosbuvir in combination with other antiviral medications. All HCV genotypes were included; 1a and 4 were the most dominant genotypes (37% and 30.5%, respectively). Half of the patients were treatment naïve. All patients achieved undetectable virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) starting from week 4 of the treatment. A sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) after completion of the treatment period was maintained in 95% of patients. Relapse was mostly observed in patients with genotype 1a (40%); no patients with HCV genotype 3 exhibited relapse.

Conclusion: The SVR12 after sofosbuvir treatment was maintained in most patients, regardless of genotype, HCV complications HCV or co-administered drugs.