Options of interferon-free therapy for HCV infection. A case study. Comparison of non-invasive methods for liver fibrosis assessment

The incidence of hepatitis C virus infection in Russia is 2-3 %. In our country the socio-economic damage caused by the increase in the incidence of chronic hepatitis and its consequences, such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocarcinoma, is enormous. The goal of antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C is a sustained virological response, which is associated with a biochemical response and regression of hepatic tissue fibrosis, which leads to a decrease in the liver cirrhosis development. The purpose of the study is to determine the efficacy of interferon-free therapy; to compare the efficacy of non-invasive methods for liver fibrosis diagnostics in chronic hepatitis C. Materials and Methods. The study included 63 patients who underwent direct antiviral therapy (dasabuvir and ombitasvir + paritaprevir + ritonavir (3D-therapy)) in combination with ribavirin or without it, depending on the hepatitis C virus genotype and the stage of liver fibrosis. The stage of hepatic tissue fibrosis was assessed by non-invasive methods, namely, elastography and vibration-controlled transient elastometry using FibriScanCompact 530 (Echosens, France). Liver fibrosis biomarkers (AAR, APRI, Fib-4, Forns index) were calculated; MDA test was conducted. Results. 100 % efficacy of dasabuvir and ombitasvir + paritaprevir + ritonavir was confirmed for both 8- and 12-week therapy in comorbid patients with extrahepatic manifestations, patients who underwent interferon-based therapy, regardless of liver fibrosis stage and disease duration. The article provides a comparative description of non-invasive methods for assessing liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: elastography, elastometry and serum fibrosis indices (APRI, AAR, FIB-4, MDA, Forns index). Indirect fibrosis markers are useful, because they allow to determine the late stages of liver fibrosis (F3-F4 on the METAVIR scale) with a very high degree of confidence.