Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir and ledipasvir in Japanese patients aged 75 years or over with hepatitis C genotype 1

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a regimen containing sofosbuvir(SOF) and ledipasvir(LDV) in Japanese patients aged ≥ 75 years with hepatitis C genotype 1.METHODS This multicenter, retrospective study consisted of 246 Japanese patients with HCV genotype 1 at nine centers in Miyazaki prefecture in Japan. Demographic, clinical, virological, and adverse effects(AE)-related data obtained during and after SOF/LDV therapy were collected from medical records. These patients were divided into two groups, younger(aged < 75 years) and elderly(aged ≥ 75 years). Virological data and AEs were analyzed by age group.RESULTS The sustained virological response(SVR) rates at 12 wk after treatment were 99.2%, 99.4%, and 98.7% in the overall population and in patients aged < 75 and ≥ 75 years, respectively. Common AEs during therapy were headache, pruritus, constipation, and insomnia. These occurred in fewer than 10% of patients, and their incidence was not significantly different between the younger and elderly groups. Two patients discontinued treatment, one due to a skin eruption and the other due to cerebral bleeding. CONCLUSION Compared with younger patients, elderly patients had a similar virological response and tolerance to SOF/LDV therapy.