Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir Combination Improves Patient-reported Outcomes for Patients With HCV Infection, Without or With Compensated or Decompensated Cirrhosis

Zobair M. Younossi, Maria Stepanova, Jordan Feld, Stefan Zeuzem, Mark Sulkowski, Graham R. Foster, Alessandra Mangia, Michael Charlton, Jacqueline G. O'Leary, Michael P. Curry, Fatema Nader, Linda Henry, Sharon Hunt

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background & Aims The combination of sofosbuvir and velpatasvir is used to treat patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection of different genotypes. We compared the effects of this treatment regimen, with and without ribavirin, on outcomes reported by patients (patient-reported outcomes [PROs]) with HCV infection, with or without cirrhosis. Methods We performed a post hoc analysis of data collected from phase 3 clinical trials (ASTRAL-1, -2, -3, and -4) of 1701 patients infected with HCV of different genotypes treated with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir with ribavirin for 12 weeks (n = 87), sofosbuvir with ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks (n = 401), and ribavirin-free sofosbuvir and velpatasvir for 12 or 24 weeks (n = 1213). In all trials, participants completed 4 PRO questionnaires (while blinded to their HCV RNA levels): the Short Form-36, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue, the Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire-HCV Version, and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: Specific Health Problem, at multiple time points. We compared baseline PROs and changes in PROs following treatment in patients without cirrhosis (n = 1112), with compensated cirrhosis (n = 338), and with decompensated cirrhosis (n = 251). Results Baseline PRO scores were as much as 33.5% lower in patients with decompensated cirrhosis than in patients without cirrhosis (P < .05). Following treatment with ribavirin-containing regimens, changes in PRO scores were similar among patients with compensated and decompensated cirrhosis (all P > .01). Treatment with these regimens increased some PRO scores by as much as 11.8% from baseline (P < .05) and reduced others, by as much as 7.1% (P < .05). Despite this, by 12 weeks after cessation of treatment with ribavirin-containing regimens, all PRO decrements resolved; PRO scores increased by as much as 14.2%, and as much as 17.1% at 24 weeks after treatment, regardless of cirrhosis status (all P > .01 between cirrhosis groups). In contrast, treatment with ribavirin-free sofosbuvir and velpatasvir increased PRO scores for patients with compensated cirrhosis, and even more so in patients with decompensated cirrhosis starting at treatment Week 4; no statistically significant decrement was observed at any time point (all 1-sided P values > .05). In multivariate analysis, compensated cirrhosis was associated with a 2.3% to 5.0% greater increase in PRO scores following treatment with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir (P < .05); decompensated cirrhosis was associated with a 5.5%–9.1% greater increase (P < .002). Clinicaltrials.gov number, NCT02201940, NCT02220998, NCT02201953, NCT02201901. Conclusions In an analysis of data from 4 phase 3 clinical trials, we found that patients with HCV infection (especially those with decompensated cirrhosis) have significant increases in their PRO scores during treatment with sofosbuvir and velpatasvir and after achieving a sustained virologic response.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)421-430.e6
JournalClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2017

Keywords

  • DAA
  • Direct-Acting Antivirals
  • PRO
  • Quality of Life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Sofosbuvir and Velpatasvir Combination Improves Patient-reported Outcomes for Patients With HCV Infection, Without or With Compensated or Decompensated Cirrhosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this