Eight-Week Hepatitis C Treatment: Real-World Outcomes with Modern Antiviral Therapy

Introduction

Chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection remains a significant cause of liver related morbidity worldwide, often progressing silently to cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma if left untreated. Recent advances in direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have transformed HCV management, offering shorter treatment durations with high cure rates.

A growing body of evidence now supports 8-week antiviral regimens for selected patients, improving adherence while reducing healthcare costs. Ongoing clinical insights published through platforms such as https://www.gastrohepatoljournal.com/index.php/acgh continue to shape best practices in gastroenterology and hepatology research.

Study Overview and Research Objective

This retrospective analysis evaluated the effectiveness of 8-week DAA therapy using:

• Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF)
• Glecaprevir/Pibrentasvir (GLE/PIB)

The study focused on treatment-naïve veterans with chronic HCV infection, assessing sustained virologic response (SVR) outcomes in real-world clinical settings.

Key Findings from the Study

The analysis included 265 veterans treated between 2015 and 2018. Among those who completed the 8-week regimen and had follow-up viral load data:

• Overall SVR rate: 95%
• GLE/PIB group: 100% SVR
• LDV/SOF group: 95% SVR
• High SVR rates were maintained across:
  • Elderly patients (≥65 years)
  • Patients with higher FIB-4 scores
  • Multiple HCV genotypes

These findings highlight that short-duration antiviral therapy can be both effective and clinically reliable in appropriately selected patients.

Clinical Implications for Hepatitis C Management

Shortened treatment courses offer multiple benefits:

• Improved patient adherence
• Reduced treatment costs
• Lower pill burden
• Comparable outcomes to standard 12-week regimens

Guidance from organizations such as the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) continues to emphasize individualized therapy duration based on genotype, cirrhosis status, and baseline viral load, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based treatment decisions.

Supporting Evidence from External Medical Organizations

Global health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), stress that early antiviral treatment is critical in reducing long-term liver complications and preventing HCV transmission. Similarly, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes DAAs as essential tools for achieving hepatitis elimination goals through simplified and shorter treatment strategies.

Accessing the Full Research and Related Resources

A detailed analysis of the study methodology and outcomes can be found in the main journal article published in Annals of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
Read the full study at: https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.acgh.1001011

For additional peer-reviewed articles and ongoing research in hepatology visit the journal homepage at gastrohepatoljournal, where current findings continue to inform clinical practice.

Key Takeaways

• 8-week DAA regimens achieved cure rates comparable to longer therapies
• GLE/PIB showed slightly higher SVR rates, though in a smaller cohort
• Elderly and non-cirrhotic patients benefited significantly from shorter treatment
• Real-world data supports guideline-based use of abbreviated therapy

Conclusion

This real-world evaluation demonstrates that 8-week antiviral therapy is a highly effective option for selected patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. As treatment strategies evolve, continued clinical research and guideline alignment will remain essential to optimizing patient outcomes.

Call to Action

Explore more studies at https://www.gastrohepatoljournal.com/index.php/acgh and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments below!

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