A comparative study to evaluate the effects on ALT normalization in first month of treatment by SOFOS/RIB therapy versus SOFOS/DAC therapy in HCV infected individuals in Pakistan

Objective: To evaluate the effects on ALT normalization in first month by SOFOS/RIB therapy versus SOFOS/DAC therapy in HCV infected individuals in Pakistan Study Design: Cross sectional comparative study Material and Methods: In a cross sectional analysis in a total of 200 Hepatitis c infected patients, sex, H/O diabetes mellitus, prior interferon therapy, decrease in hemoglobin >2 gm/dl in 1st month and rise in serum bilirubin in 1st month were the qualitative variables and the quantitative variables were age, weight, baseline hemoglobin, baseline bilirubin at week 4 of treatment. The statistical relation of the mentioned variables was checked using SPSS version 15 on the basis of data collected. Results: Out of total 200 patients, 47% (94) were males, 53% (106) were females, 28% (56) patients were diabetic & 44.5% (89) patients had history of prior interferon therapy, 28.5% (57) patients were having low hemoglobin levels before starting above mentioned treatment. Both the groups completed the treatments A & B for 24 &12 weeks respectively & collected data showed the superiority of treatment B to treatment A as no decrease in hemoglobin (p=0.000), & no rise in serum bilirubin(p=0.000) during 1st month of treatment while ,serum bilirubin was 93 % in treatment B and 73 % in treatment A. Conclusion: The results concluded that treatment B (Sofosbuvir / Daclatasvir for 12 weeks) is superior anti hepatitis C therapy as compared to the treatment A (Sofosbuvir / Ribavirin for 24 weeks) in order to achieve ALT normalization in first month of therapy in Pakistani population. Ribavirin should be avoided to prevent hemolytic anemia as well.