Volume 13 Issue 8
DIRECTLY ACTING ANTIVIRALS (DAAS) THERAPY AND PLATELET COUNT IN CHRONIC HCV (CHCV) PATIENTS AT CHANDKA TEACHING HOSPITAL LARKANA
1Dr. Sheeraz Ali Jatoi, 2Dr. Kouromal Gurbakhshani, 3Dr. Ambrat Lal, 4Dr. Bakhtawar Guramani, 5Dr. Pirbhat Gurbakhshani, 6Dr. Keenjhar Gurbakhshani
1Chandka Medical College, SMBBMU Larkana, Postgraduate Trainee in General Medicine, MBBS
2Chandka Medical College, SMBBMU Larkana, Professor Of Medicine, FCPS in General Medicine
3Swansea bay University Health Board, United Kingdom, Junior Clinical Fellow in General Medicine, MBBS
4Chandka Medical College, SMBBMU Larkana, Lecturer in Physiology, MBBS
5Chandka Medical College, SMBBMU Larkana, House Officer, MBBS
6Swansea bay University Health Board, United Kingdom, Internal Medicine Trainee, MBBS
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) therapy on the change in platelet count (measured as an increase or decrease from baseline) in chronic HCV patients treated at Chandka Medical College Teaching Hospital, Larkana.
METHODOLOGY
This quasi-experimental study was conducted from January 30, 2024, to January 30, 2025, at Chandka Medical College Teaching Hospital, Larkana, using non-probability consecutive sampling. Patients aged 18–60 years with chronic HCV infection were enrolled and treated with Sofosbuvir plus Daclatasavir or Velpatasvir for 12 weeks. HCV RNA and platelet counts were recorded at baseline and post-treatment to assess changes based on sustained virological response (SVR). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS
In a cohort of 100 individuals diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection (mean age 55.22 ± 4.98 years, 56% male), a statistically significant elevation in platelet count was observed subsequent to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy, increasing from 125.59 ± 13.36 to 151.86±17.40 ×10³/µL (mean change: 26.27±21.38; p=0.0001). A notable improvement was documented in 75% of the subjects, and was associated with lower bilirubin, and higher albumin levels (all p=0.0001), while gender, BMI and portal vein diameter showed no significant association.
CONCLUSION
The administration of Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs) has the potential to facilitate hematological restitution in a substantial proportion of individuals afflicted with chronic Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection, thereby markedly enhancing platelet counts. This improvement was associated with the amelioration in the liver functionality manifested by reduced spleen size and bilirubin levels and by increased albumin levels. These results underscore the extensive therapeutic advantages of DAA therapy in improving both hematologic and hepatic parameters, thereby reinforcing its continued application in the management of chronic HCV.
KEYWORDS
Antiviral Agents, Chronic Hepatitis C, Platelet Count, Sustained Virologic Response, Thrombocytopenia
