LONG-TERM OUTCOME OF PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED LIVER FIBROSIS TREATED IN THE HEPATITIS C ELIMINATION PROGRAM

Abstract

The hepatitis C elimination program has enabled thousands of HCV-infected people to receive treatment. The main objective of our study was to evaluate the effect of long-term treatment in patients with advanced liver fibrosis who achieved a sustained viral response (SVR) after receiving direct antiviral medication (DAA) and to evaluate the role of socio-demographic characteristics and clinical/laboratory data in changing the level of liver fibrosis. The study cohort included patients from a hepatitis C elimination program treated with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), high-grade elastography-defined liver fibrosis (> = F3), and patients with a FIB4 score greater than 3.25 and a sustained viral response achieved 12-24 weeks after treatment. A total of 150 patients were selected. The data was processed in SPSS statistical software. Among the statistical tests, the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test was used. The research was conducted in 2020-2021. These data were determined both before and after treatment. After treatment with metavir, the level of liver damage improved in 51.7% of patients. Statistical analysis showed that the change in the level of fibrosis after treatment was statistically significant (P < 0.001).