Chronic Hepatitis C in Elderly Patients: Current Evidence with Direct-Acting Antivirals.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2018

Publication Title

Drugs & aging

Keywords

Aged; Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage; Antiviral Agents/adverse effects; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use; Drug Therapy, Combination; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/epidemiology; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions/etiology; Hepacivirus/drug effects; Hepatitis C, Chronic/drug therapy; Humans; Treatment Outcome

Abstract

Since the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), the outcomes of hepatitis C (HCV) treatment have shown an improvement in cure rates with minimal side effects. However, to date, the safety and efficacy of DAAs have not been specifically examined in elderly patients. The treatment of HCV in the era of pegylated interferon and ribavirin was more challenging among elderly patients due to the increased prevalence of multiple comorbid conditions associated with an increased risk of side effects, including anemia, and high rates of discontinuation, likely as a result of poor tolerability, resulting in lower rates of sustained virologic response (SVR). The advent of highly efficacious all-oral DAA agents with minimal adverse events has provided more data on the outcomes of treatment in the elderly population. The current evidence shows that DAA agents have been effective and safe in the elderly population, with comparable rates of SVR. The aim of this article was to review the safety and efficacy of commonly prescribed DAA agents in the management of chronic HCV in the elderly population.

Clinical Institute

Digestive Health

Department

Gastroenterology

Department

Geriatrics

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