COMMON GENOTYPES AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF HCV INFECTION AMONG ETHIOPIAN PATIENTS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY.

Background: The treatment response of HCV infection is dependent on genotype and stage of the disease. However, genotype pattern and treatment outcomes of HCV infection among Ethiopian patients has not been studied so far.

Objectives: To evaluate the common HCV genotypes and treatment outcomes among Ethiopian adult patients.

Method: Adult patients aged 18 and above with HCV infection referred from various regions of the country were included in the study after written informed consent. As there was no free or insurance coverage for treatment of HCV infection in the country, those who could afford to pay for treatment with PEG Interferon and Ribavirin were recruited during January 1, 2008 through December 31,2013 at United Vision, Adera. Old Airport, and Mexico referral higher clinics in Addis Ababa. Patients with decompensated cirrhosis and pregnant ladies were excluded from the study. The patients were counseled on treatment options, cost, treatment outcomes, adverse drug effects, and possible complications. Data were collected on demographic features, clinical characteristics, viral genotypes, and treatment outcomes during follow up visits until six months after completion of recommended standard treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: A total of 200 adults with chronic HCV infection were treated with PEG-Interferon and Ribavirin (for 24 or 48 weeks according to the genotypes) during the study period. Of the 200 patients enrolled in the study, 120 (60%) were male, 90% were from Addis Ababa, and the median age was 48 years. Sixty per cent of the patients were infected with genotype 4,17% with genotype 1, 13.5% with genotype 2 and 9.5% with genotype 3. Eighty percent of the patients had end of treatment response; of these, 74.4% had undetectable HCV RNA at 6th month after end of treatment. The end of treatment response was noted to be close to 90% for patients with HCV genotypes 2 and.3 infections.

Conclusion: This study indicates that genotype 4 is the prevalent HCV genotype followed by 1, 2, and 3 among Ethiopian patients. Treatment with interferon and ribavirin was well tolerated and provided a very good response.