Improved quality of life following direct-acting antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C infection in Rwanda: Results from a clinical trial in sub-Saharan Africa (the SHARED study).
Van Nuil JI., Umutesi G., Shumbusho F., Kateera F., Dushimimana JDD., Muvunyi CM., Musabeyezu E., Mukabatsinda C., Ntirenganya C., Kabahizi J., Serumondo J., Makuza JD., Nsanzimana S., Grant P., Gupta N.
Around 71 million people are living with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with approximately 14% residing in sub-Saharan Africa. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies offer clear benefits for liver-related morbidity and mortality, and data from high-income settings suggest that DAA treatments also provide significant benefits in terms of health-related quality of life (HRQL). In this study, we assessed the effect of DAA treatment on HRQL for individuals treated for HCV in a clinical trial in Rwanda. We assessed the HRQL of participants using an 83-question composite survey at Day 0 ('baseline') and Week 24 ('endpoint'). Data were analysed in R. A total of 296 participants were included in this analysis. Their ages ranged from 19 to 90, and 184 (62.2%) were female. There were significant improvements from baseline to endpoint median scores for all physical and mental quality of life sub-scales. Additionally, a reduction-before and after treatment-in the proportion of those classified as depressed and needing social support was statistically significant (both P