Interferon sensitivity and cost-effectiveness in naïve chronic Hepatitis C patients in the era of interferon-free therapies

Background: Pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) therapy results about 40% sustained virological response (SVR) rate in naïve chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 (CHC G1) subjects with numerous side-effects. Assessment of failed SVR based on interferon sensitivity may be a cost-effective method in the era of interferon-free therapies. Aim: To determine the rate of missing SVR and the costs of unnecessary PEG-IFN and RBV therapy in naïve CHC G1 patients who achieved early virological response (EVR: > 2 log decline in baseline viral load on week 12). Patients and methods: We analyzed data of 191 naïve CHC…