Sustained virological responses following standard anti-viral therapy in decompensated HCV-infected cirrhotic patients

P>Background Little data is available about predictors of sustained virological response (SVR) during anti-viral therapy of patients with decompensated HCV cirrhosis. Aims To determine whether rapid and early virological responses (RVR and EVR) could predict SVR and help optimize treatment in these patients. Methods A total of 94 cirrhotics underwent treatment with peg-interferon alfa-2b (1.5 mu g/kg weekly) and ribavirin (800/1200 mg daily) for 48 or 24 weeks for genotypes 1/4 or genotypes 2/3, respectively. Results Overall, SVR was achieved in 33 patients (35.1%), 16% with genotype 1/4 and 56.8% with genotype 2/3 (P < 0.01). At treatment week 4, 34 patients had undetectable HCV-RNA, 10 with genotype 1/4 and 24 with genotype 2/3. Of RVR patients, 24 achieved SVR (70.5%), 6 and 18 with genotypes 1 and non-1. At the multivariate analysis, only EVR, genotypes 2 and 3, and adherence to full course and dosage of therapy retained their independent predictive power, with corresponding ORs of 25.5 (95% CI 3.0-217.3), 4.2 (95% CI 1.2-15.3) and 9.1 (95% CI 2.2-38.0), respectively. Conclusion In decompensated cirrhotic patients, anti-viral therapy with current regimens is feasible and associated with an overall SVR rate of 35.1%. Treatment ought to be pursued among patients who attain an EVR, and maintain a full course and dosage of therapy.