Direct antiviral agents for hepatitis C and drug interaction risk: A retrospective cohort study with real and simulated data on medication interaction, prevalence of comorbidities and comedications

Introduction and aim Comorbidities and comedication are common in patients with hepatitis C, which could result in a risk of drug-drug interaction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of comorbidities, comedication and drug-drug interactions involving direct-acting antivirals in this population. Methods Comorbidities and comedications were evaluated in a retrospective cohort of hepatitis C patients. Drug-drug interactions were estimated in real life and with simulated data on comedications following drug regimens: telaprevir; elbasvir/grazoprevir, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/r/ritonavir (2D regimen), and sofosbuvir/simeprevir, sofosbuvir/daclatasvir, sofosbuvir/ledipasvir; 2D/dasabuvir (3D regimen); glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir. The interactions were evaluated according to the University of Liverpool database. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS(R) 18.0. Results Data from 1433 patients with hepatitis C were evaluated. The mean patient age was 51.7 years (SD +/- 10.7), and 50.6% were female. Direct-acting antivirals were prescribed for 345 (24.1%) patients, and a sustained virological response occurred in 264 (76.5%). The main comorbidities were systemic arterial hypertension [436 (30.4%)], diabetes mellitus [352 (24.6%)] and depression [130 (9.1%)]. The mean number of comorbidities was 1.52 (median [IQR] of 1.00 [1.00-2.00]). The mean number of comedications was 3.16 (median [IQR] of 3.00 [1.00-5.00]). A total of 12916 drug-drug interactions were found, of which 1.859 (14.4%) were high risk, with a mean of 1.29 +/- 3.13 per patient. The 3D regimen, as well as glecaprevir/pibrentasvir and sofosbuvir/velpatasvir/voxilaprevir, presented the highest drug-drug interaction indexes. Conclusion Comorbidities and comedications are common in patients with hepatitis C, as are drug-drug interactions. Even when second generation drugs are used, the occurrence of drug-drug interactions still presents a significant risk.

Automated summary

The study revealed that comorbidities, comedications, and drug-drug interactions are common in patients with hepatitis C, even when using second-generation drugs, indicating a significant risk.