Background & Aims
The proportion of HCV‐infected patients over age 65 years in Western countries is increasing. This growth and the advent of new antiviral therapy bring into the question the real‐world efficacy and safety of the combination of sofosbuvir (SOF) and simeprevir (SMV) plus a flat dose of 800 mg/d ribavirin (RBV) in elderly patients with cirrhosis compared to younger patients.
Methods
Retrospective observational multicentre real‐life investigation study of SOF/SMV/RBV for a duration of 12 weeks in HCV genotype 1‐infected patients with cirrhosis.
Results
Of the 270 patients enrolled in this study, with compensated cirrhosis, 133 (49.2%) were ≥65 years of age. Sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12) was achieved by 94.2% (129/137) of those aged <65 years and 97.7% (130/133) of those ≥65 years. Diabetes was the most common comorbidity in patients ≥65 years compared to younger patients (26.3% vs 12.4% P<.003). The most common adverse event (AE) in elderly patients was a grade 2 anaemia (35.3% vs 19.9% P<.004).
Conclusions
Sofosbuvir/simeprevir plus a daily flat dose of RBV 800 mg for 12 weeks was highly effective and safe in genotype 1 elderly patients with compensated cirrhosis.