The efficacy and safety of direct-acting antiviral drugs in the management of hepatitis C virus-related arthritis

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a worldwide disease. HCV-related arthritis is one of the extrahepatic manifestations of the disease. The treatment of chronic HCV has been revolutionized with the introduction of oral direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs. We aim to determine the outcomes of treatment by the combination of sofosbuvir-daclatasvir with or without ribavirin in patients with HCV-related arthritis. RESULTS: Post-therapy, all group I patients had sustained viral response. Significant improvement of the outcome parameters was found 12 weeks post-treatment in group I compared to baseline and group II. Complete and partial remission of articular symptoms in group I patients was observed in 80% and 5%, respectively, while 85% of patients in group II showed no remission. Few mild side effects were encountered with therapy. CONCLUSION: The combination of sofosbuvir-daclatasvir with or without ribavirin is an effective and safe therapy for eradication of HCV infection and amelioration of HCV-related arthritis.