Low Adherence Achieves High HCV Cure Rates Among People Who Inject Drugs Treated With Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents
Brianna L. Norton, Matthew J. Akiyama, Linda Agyemang, Moonseong Heo, Irene Pericot‐Valverde, Alain H. Litwin
Abstract
We measured hepatitis C virus (HCV) adherence via electronic blister packs for 145 people who inject drugs treated on-site in a methadone program. The overall sustained virologic response (SVR) rate was 96% (95% CI, 91%-98%), and overall daily adherence was 78% (95% CI, 76%-81%). Participants who achieved at least 50% adherence had an overall SVR rate of 99%, with each 5% adherence interval >50% achieving at least 90% adherence. Suboptimal adherence may still lead to cure in the direct-acting antiviral era.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineMethadoneHepatitis C virusInternal medicineHepatitis CMedication adherenceVirusPharmacologyImmunologyHepatitis C virus researchHIV, Drug Use, Sexual RiskHIV/AIDS drug development and treatment