Background and study aim: Chronic hepatitis C virus infection is a massive health challenge in Egypt. New DAAs in the past few years have proven to be extremely effective in treatment of HCV infection. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a sofosbuvir-based treatment protocol composed of sofosbuvir and daclatasvir with or without the addition of ribavirin in Egyptian patients infected with HCV genotype 4 in Sharkia governorate.
Patients and Methods: One hundred patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into three groups, group I: 48 treatment-naïve non-cirrhotic patients who were assigned to receive dual therapy (Daclatasvir+Sofosbuvir) for a duration of 12 weeks, group II: 32 treatment-naïve cirrhotic patients who were assigned to receive triple therapy (Daclatasvir + Sofosbuvir + Ribavirin) for a duration of 12 weeks, and group III: A control group composed of 20 chronic HCV patients, not receiving antiviral therapy. Patients were followed up thoroughly by clinical and laboratory evaluation monthly throughout treatment and for 3 months after the end of treatment (EOT). In addition, the virological response for each patient was recorded.
Results: No statistically significant difference was found between both groups that received treatment regarding virological response, since 100% of patients achieved SVR12 rates in both groups.
Conclusion: The combination of Daclatasvir plus Sofosbuvir with or without the addition of ribavirin for a duration of 12 weeks has proven to possess high efficacy in the treatment of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic naïve Egyptian patients with chronic infection with HCV genotype4 in Sharkia governorate.