Frailty status predicts new long-term care insurance certification in hepatitis c patients receiving antiviral therapy

Abstract

Background/Aim: Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapies for patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection deliver higher cure rates and lower frequencies of adverse events than existing therapies, though DAA treatment costs $45,000-64,000 in Japan. The prognosis of patients who require new long-term care insurance (LTCI) certification is inferior to that of patients who do not. Here, we clarify the factors associated with new LTCI certification in elderly patients with HCV infection who undergo DAA therapy. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively surveyed 53 patients aged ≥70 years who were treated with DAAs, and evaluated the factors associated with new LTCI certification. Results: Of 53 patients, 10 required new LTCI certification. Age ≥85 years and a modified Japanese Cardiovascular Health Study index ≥2 were independently associated with new LTCI certification. Conclusion: In elderly HCV patients, poor frailty status strongly predicted new LTCI certification after DAA therapy.