Treatment with direct-acting antivirals improves the clinical outcome in patients with HCV-related decompensated cirrhosis: results from an Italian real-life cohort (Liver Network Activity—LINA cohort)

Background: Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) are safe and effective for the treatment of HCV infection. However, data regarding their efficacy in patients with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis are scarce and their capability in improving liver function is debated. The aim of our study was to assess the clinical benefits of treatment with DAA in subjects with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis. Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre study among patients with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis of an Italian real-life HCV cohort (LINA cohort) who received treatment with DAAs. Results: Among 89 patients enrolled, the rate of sustained virologic response 12 was 95.5%. No discontinuation occurred, no patient died during treatment. Most patients had Genotype 1 (1b 61.8%, 1a 11.2%). Conversely, 22.5%, 1.1% and 3.4% of patients had Genotype 2, 3 and 4, respectively. At last observation, 61.8% of patients switched to a Class A cirrhosis, 33.7% remained in Class B and 4.5 worsened to Child C (p < 0.001). Liver parameters significantly improved from baseline to 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Previous anti-HCV treatments and the presence of decompensated cirrhosis at 1 month of treatment were significantly associated with a decompensated cirrhosis at the last observation. Conclusions: Treatment with DAA in patients with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis is safe and leads to a very high rate of viral clearance, a significant rate of re-compensation and an improvement in liver function. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of treatment on survival and quality of life in long-term follow-up.