Initial results of efficacy and safety of Sofosbuvir among Pakistani Population: A real life trial - Hepatitis Eradication Accuracy Trial of Sofosbuvir (HEATS)

OBJECTIVE: The uridine nucleotide analogue sofosbuvir is a selective inhibitor of hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase approved for the treatment of chronic HCV infection with genotypes 1 – 4. The objective of the study was to evaluate the interim results of efficacy and safety of regimens containing Sofosbuvir (Zoval) among Pakistani population with the rapid virologic response (RVR2/4 weeks) with HCV infections. METHODS: This is a multicenter open label prospective observational study. Patients suffering from chronic Hepatitis C infection received Sofosbuvir (Zoval) 400 mg plus ribavirin (with or without peg interferon) for 12/24 weeks. The interim results of this study were rapid virological response on week 4. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 for descriptive statistics. RESULTS: A total of 573 patients with HCV infection were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 46.07 ± 11.41 years. Out of 573 patients 535 (93.3%) were treatment naive, 26 (4.5%) were relapser, 7 (1.2%) were non-responders and 5 (1.0%) were partial responders. A rapid virologic response was reported in 563(98.2%) of patients with HCV infection after four weeks of treatment. The treatment was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSION: Sofosbuvir (Zoval) is effective and well tolerated in combination with ribavirin in HCV infected patients.