Efficacy of Sofosbuvir and Ribavirin Therapy in Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Treatment Naïve Cases of South Punjab

Abstract

Objective: This study was done to determine efficacy of Sofobuvir in treatment naïve cases of hepatitis C virus infection in Southern Punjab as there is no such study done in our general population.

Study Design: descriptive / observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from 1-7-2016 to 31-3-2017.

Materials and Methods: This study was using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Patients (n=159) positive for HCV RNA PCR were taken in this study and their baseline investigations were done and treated with Sofosbuvir and ribavirin for 6 months and tested for sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks of therapy. All data was entered in questionnaire and analysis was done using SPSS version 20.

Results: Of these 159 patients, 66 (41.5%) were male patients while 93 (58.5%) were female patients.  Mean age of our study cases was 42.70 ± 12.69 years ranging from 19 years to 70 years. Mean age of male patients was 44.77 ± 12.50 years and mean age of the female patients was 41.23 ± 12.68 years which was statistically insignificant (p = 0.082). Eighty three (52.2%) were from rural areas while 76 (47.8%) from urban areas, 86 (54.1%) belonged to poor social background while 73 (45.9%) from middle income social status. Sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks was noted to be in 158 (99.4%).

Conclusion: Sofosbuvirin combination with ribavirin was highly effective in achieving SVR at 12 weeks and it was safe and well tolerated in treatment naïve patients having hepatitis C virus infection. Hence, our study results support treatment of hepatitis C virus infection with Sofosbuvir without significant side effects.