Effectiveness comparison of patients with hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 or 4 therapies

Background: HCV is a global threat and can lead to major complications. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of achieving SVR12 from sofosbuvir-based therapy versus paritaprevir-based therapy in patients with HCV genotypes 1 or 4 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort design conducted between January 2016 and January 2019; Participants were classified into sofosbuvir-based therapy (SBT) or paritaprevir-based therapy (PBT). Also, HCV specific genotype was examined: genotype 1, genotype 4, or mixed genotypes. A series of descriptive statistics were designed to compare patient characteristics. Significant predictors of SVR12 were identified using a stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 387 patients (294 on SBT; 93 on PBT) were included. The two groups were similar in most predisposing factors. 25.58 % of the overall sample reported previous treatment failure. Five predictors were identified that influence the achievement SVR12: sex, HCV type, interruption of therapy, alanine transaminase level, and hemoglobin level. Conclusions: Saudi patients with HCV infection have a higher incidence of having genotype 4. In addition, both treatment regimens were associated with high percentages of attaining SVR at 12 weeks. More research is needed, particularly regarding the role of mixed genotypes in treatment outcomes.