Unraveling the Impact of Direct-Acting Antivirals on Hepatitis-Linked Cirrhosis: A Comprehensive Analysis of Fibrosis, Child Score, and Disease Progression

Abstract

The treatment of hepatitis C has undergone a significant boom since the advent of direct acting antivirals (DAA). Indeed, the interferon-ribavirin combination that has been used to treat hepatitis C has a virological response in only 45% of cases with significant side effects. The advent of direct-acting antivirals has changed the prognosis of cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C. DAAs have ensured a sustained viral response in the majority of patients. Our work aims to see the evolution of hepatitis C patients at the cirrhosis stage under DAA. We conducted a retrospective study over 15 years (January 2009, January 2024) including all patients with post-viral cirrhosis C, whom we divided into two groups: group A, cirrhotic patients who received ribavirin and interferon, and group B, patients on DAA. From January 2009 to January 2024, we conducted a study of 182 patients with viral hepatitis C, including 102 cirrhotic patients. The mean age was 55 years. 66% of patients were initially treated with the ribavirin interferon combination, while 34% received direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Since the introduction of DAAs, the most commonly used regimens have been sofosbuvir/daclatasvir with or without ribavirin and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir with or without ribavirin. Group A achieved sustained virological response (SVR) in 60% of cases, with notable side effects. In Group B, SVR was 98.18%, with improved tolerability and fewer side effects than previous treatments. Fifteen patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with a significantly lower mortality rate in those treated with DAAs compared with pegylated dual therapy (p: 0.001).