Efficacy of Direct‐Acting Antivirals for Chronic Hepatitis C in a Large Cohort of Older Adults in the United States. Issue 2 (24th October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Calvin Q.; Gayam, Vijay; Rabinovich, Charles; Normatov, Milana; Fidman, Bazhena; Wang, Dan; Garlapati, Pavani
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 68:Issue 2(2020)
• Page Start: 379
• Page End: 387
• Publication Date: 2019-10-24
• Subjects: chronic hepatitis C -- direct‐acting antiviral agents -- sustained virologic response -- older adults; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.16206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

Abstract : OBJECTIVES: Data on the virologic response and tolerability of direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) are lacking in older people because these individuals are underrepresented in clinical trials. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of DAA regimens in older individuals in a large cohort of real‐life clinical practice. METHODS: In this retrospective study, patients with chronic hepatitis C infection between 2017 and 2018 were divided into patients aged 65 years and older and those younger than 65 years. We evaluated the sustained virologic response rates (SVRs) in both groups. Further subgroup analyses on the SVRs for patients aged 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 years and older were performed. We also analyzed the predictors of treatment response in older individuals. RESULTS: Among 1151 eligible patients, 516 were in the older group and 635 were in the younger group. The overall treatment response in the entire cohort was 97.7%. A significantly higher percentage of patients presented with advanced stages of fibrosis in the older group (53.1% vs 39.5%; P = <.001). The SVR rates were similar between the two groups (98.3% vs 97.7%; P = .18). In multivariate models, age was not predictive of SVR after adjusting for confounders. Subgroup analyses in the age groups of 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and older than 85 years showed similar treatment response rates (97.4%, 97.2%, and 86.7, respectively; P = .06) and advanced fibrosis (50.8%, 61.5%, and 53.3%, respectively; P = .14). CONCLUSION: Although older people exhibit a significantly higher frequency of fibrosis, DAAs produce high rates of SVR in all age groups, and the age of the patient does not seem to have a significant impact on the efficacy of DAAs including patients in the oldest age category (≥75 y). Treatment should not be withheld in older individuals. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:379–387, 2020