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. 2018 May 23;5(6):ofy120.
doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofy120. eCollection 2018 Jun.

Real-world Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for HCV Infection Affecting People Who Inject Drugs Delivered in a Multidisciplinary Setting

Arshia Alimohammadi  1 , Julie Holeksa  1 , Astou Thiam  1 , David Truong  1 , Brian Conway  1
Affiliations

Real-world Efficacy of Direct-Acting Antiviral Therapy for HCV Infection Affecting People Who Inject Drugs Delivered in a Multidisciplinary Setting

Arshia Alimohammadi et al. Open Forum Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Many clinicians and insurance providers are reluctant to embrace recent guidelines identifying people who inject drugs (PWID) as a priority population to receive hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) HCV therapy in a real-world population comprised predominantly of PWID.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on all HCV-infected patients who were treated at the Vancouver Infectious Diseases Centre between March 2014 and December 2017. All subjects were enrolled in a multidisciplinary model of care, addressing medical, psychological, social, and addiction-related needs. The primary outcome was achievement of sustained virologic response (undetectable HCV RNA) 12 or more weeks after completion of HCV therapy (SVR-12).

Results: Overall, 291 individuals were enrolled and received interferon-free DAA HCV therapy. The mean age was 54 years, 88% were PWID, and 20% were HCV treatment experienced. At data lock, 62 individuals were still on treatment and 229 were eligible for evaluation of SVR by intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis. Overall, 207 individuals achieved SVR (90%), with 13 losses to follow-up, 7 relapses, and 2 premature treatment discontinuations. ITT SVR analysis show that active PWID and treatment-naïve patients were less likely to achieve SVR (P = .0185 and .0317, respectively). Modified ITT analysis of active PWID showed no difference in achieving SVR (P = .1157) compared with non-PWID.

Conclusion: Within a multidisciplinary model of care, the treatment of HCV-infected PWID with all-oral DAA regimens is safe and highly effective. These data justify targeted efforts to enhance access to HCV treatment in this vulnerable and marginalized population.

Keywords: PWID; hepatitis C virus; interferon-free direct-acting antiviral therapy; multidisciplinary.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow diagram showing patients with available data and various outcomes.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Stratified intent-to-treat sustained virologic response rates by key variables.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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