Influence of direct acting antivirals with/without ribavirin on hematological parameters in cirrhosis with HCV

Authors

Keywords:

thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, Anemia, cirrhosis, daclatasvir, ledipasvir, ribavirin

Abstract

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have revolutionized the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, especially for patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological effect of AAD with/without ribavirin in HCV cirrhosis. The study was realised on 144 patients with cirrhosis HCV: group I - Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir/Ledipasvir with ribavirin (RBV), for 12 weeks, group II - Sofosbuvir and Daclatasvir/Ledipasvir for 24 weeks. At baseline, 31 (21.5%) patients had severe thrombocytopenia, 68 (47.2%) patients had moderate thrombocytopenia. At the end of antiviral therapy, 15 (10.4%) patients maintained severe thrombocytopenia (p<0.001). At the initiation of antiviral therapy, 45 (31.2%) patients had normal platelet values, and at the end of treatment, 60 (41.6%) patients had normal platelet values. Patients who started treatment with AAD in combination with RBV had hemoglobin levelhigher than 110g/l at the initiation of antiviral therapy, the reason being anemia as an effect of RBV administration. Thus, at the end of the antiviral therapy, 12 (16.6%) patients from the first group had Hb values ≤ 109g/l compared to the second group - 1 (1.3%) patient (p<0.001). RBV dose adjustment was required in 26 (36.11%) patients and RBV discontinuation in 10 (13.8%) patients. Sustained virologic response (SVR) was present in 136 (94.4%) patients. The eradication of HCV infection by obtaining SVR in patients with liver cirrhosis presents an effective strategy in improving the hematological parameters.

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Published

2026-04-15

How to Cite

[1]
Avricenco, M. et al. 2026. Influence of direct acting antivirals with/without ribavirin on hematological parameters in cirrhosis with HCV. Public Health Economy and Management in Medicine. 3(96) (Apr. 2026), 19–28.

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