Featured Research
Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir Effectively Treats Hepatitis C Virus
Infections in an Underserved Population
Rachel A. Stewart, DNP; Brooke R. MacDonald, MSPH; Tzu-Chun Chu, MS, MPH;
Jonathan D. Moore, MPH; Esther O. Fasanmi, PharmD; Rohit P. Ojha, DrPH
- Why was this study conducted?
- Underserved individuals (i.e. individuals with barriers to healthcare) have a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections.
- Many underserved individuals are ineligible for interferon-based HCV treatments.
- New direct-acting antiviral regimens have made more people eligible for HCV treatment, but whether they work for underserved individuals is unknown, partly because underserved individuals are not well-represented in randomized controlled trials.
- What did this study find?
- In general, direct-acting antivirals are effective for treating underserved individuals with HCV infections.
- Treatment with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, in particular, resulted in nearly the same percentage of individuals cured as in randomized controlled trials.
- What do the findings mean?
- This study provides encouraging evidence for treating HCV infections for underserved individuals, which may be a way to reduce health disparities related to HCV infections.
- This study provides encouraging evidence for treating HCV infections for underserved individuals, which may be a way to reduce health disparities related to HCV infections.
- Read more here.