Sustained virological response in HCV patients receiving antiviral treatment at a teaching centre of northern India

Abstract

In India, it is estimated that 10-24 million people are living with active HCV infection, with a seroprevalence of 0.09% to 2.02% among the healthy population. The current study evaluates the efficacy of newer pan-genotypic directly acting antiviral drugs for SVR, which is the hallmark of successful HCV therapy. Data were collected on the prevalence of HCV infection, rates of SVR, and associated risk factors. In univariate analysis, serum albumin, AST, and APRI are significant predictors of SVR with P < 0.05. Specifically, a unit increase in serum albumin doubled the chances of achieving SVR (OR: 2.08, CI: 1.02-4.19), while increases in AST and APRI values were associated with reduced chances of SVR (OR: -0.99, CI: 0.98-0.99; OR: -0.79, CI: 0.64-0.98). Non-cirrhotic patients were significantly more likely to achieve SVR compared to decompensated cirrhotic patients (OR: 6.48, CI: 1.46-28.59). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, taking all variables with a P value < 0.05 in the univariate analysis, such an association was not found, and it established the multifactorial nature of SVR. The present study underlines the importance of early diagnosis and the effectiveness of antiviral drugs against improved treatment outcomes of HCV patients in India. The findings present the challenges and successes in HCV elimination in a diverse and populous country.

Keywords: APRI; Albumin; DAA; HCV; SVR; cirrhosis; logistic regression; risk factors.