부산대학교 도서관

Background Direct antiviral therapies for chronic hepatitis C virus ( HCV) infection have expanded treatment options for neglected patient populations, including elderly patients who are ineligible/intolerant to receive interferon ( IFN)-based therapy. Aim To investigate the efficacy, tolerability and potential for drug-drug interactions ( DDIs) of IFN-free treatment in patients aged ≥65 years in a large real-world cohort. Methods A total of 541 patients were treated with different combinations of direct antiviral agents ( DAAs: ledipasvir/sofosbuvir ±ribavirin; daclatasvir/sofosbuvir ±ribavirin; paritaprevir/ombitasvir ±dasabuvir ±ribavirin or simeprevir/sofosbuvir ±ribavirin in genotype 1/4, and daclatasvir/sofosbuvir ±ribavirin or sofosbuvir/ribavirin in genotype 2/3). Efficacy, safety and potential DDIs were analysed and compared between patients aged <65 years ( n = 404) and patients aged ≥65 years ( n = 137) of whom 41 patients were ≥75 years. Results Sustained virological response rates were 98% and 91% in patients aged ≥65 years and <65 years, respectively. Elderly patients took significantly more concomitant medications (79% vs. 51%; P < 0.0001). The number of concomitant drugs per patient was highest in patients ≥65 years with cirrhosis (median, three per patient; range, 0-10). Based on the hep-druginteractions database, the proportion of predicted clinically significant DDIs was significantly higher in elderly patients (54% vs. 28%; P < 0.0001). The number of patients who experienced treatment-associated adverse events was similar between the two age groups (63% vs. 65%; P = n.s.). Conclusions Elderly patients are at increased risk for significant DDIs when treated with DAAs for chronic HCV infection. However, with careful pre-treatment assessment of concomitant medications, on-treatment monitoring or dose-modifications, significant DDIs and associated adverse events can be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]