title: Retrospective Analysis of the Medication Utilization and Clinical Outcomes of Patients Treated with Various Regimens for Hepatitis C Infection.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common chronic blood-borne infection and the leading cause of liver transplantation in the United States. There are approximately 3.2 million people currently infected with HCV in the United States. In late 2013, the introduction of sofosbuvir and simeprevir represented a critical advancement in the treatment of HCV by improving sustained virologic response (SVR) rates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate medication utilization and clinical outcomes of patients with HCV who were treated with any Food and Drug Administration-approved combination of ribavirin, peginterferon products, simeprevir, and sofosbuvir.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prescription records and clinical assessment forms of patients who started HCV therapy and were eligible for SVR between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection included patient demographics, genotype, SVR, patient-reported adverse events, discontinuations, and adherence markers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 367 eligible patients were identified who had initiated treatment during the study period. Genotype 1 was the most common genotype, and an overall SVR rate of 86.9% was observed. Results were similar to those seen in phase III clinical trials. In addition, adverse events of these medications were more tolerable, and discontinuation rates were lower than with previous therapies.
authors.affiliation: 1 Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.|2 Walgreens Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: William D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Trombatt
authors.affiliation: 1 Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Koerner
authors.affiliation: 2 Walgreens Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Zoie N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Craft
authors.affiliation: 2 Walgreens Co, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: 1 Duquesne University Mylan School of Pharmacy, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Khalid M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Kamal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000139:chemically induced; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069616:Simeprevir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069474:Sofosbuvir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; D000069616:Simeprevir; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; D000069474:Sofosbuvir
keywords: hepatitis; simprevir; sofosbuvir; sustained virologic response