Rationale for treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in end-stage renal disease patients who are not kidney transplant candidates

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common problem in patients treated with maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality and lower quality of life. The major causes of HCV-associated mortality are liver and cardiovascular-related death. HCV-infected HD patients have a higher prevalence of inflammation-related metabolic and vascular diseases, leading to high rates of cardiovascular mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. In the current era of highly effective direct-acting antiviral regimens, HCV treatment may also confer hepatic, cardiovascular and other morbidity and mortality benefits even to dialysis-dependent patients who do not qualify for kidney transplantation. Currently, the most accepted regimens in this patient population include elbasvir/grazoprevir and glecaprevir/pibrentasvir.

Keywords: End-stage renal disease; Hepatitis C treatment.