Changes in Liver Fibrosis as Determined by FIB-4 Score Following Sofosbuvir-Based Treatment Regimes Without Interferon

Abstract

Objective: To determine the mean change in liver fibrosis as evaluated using the FIB-4 score following Sofosbuvir based treatment regimens without interferon.

Methodology: This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad, from January 09, 2019 to January 03, 2020. A total of seventy (n=70) patients of either gender between age 18-75 years who were diagnosed with cases of HCV infection were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated with Sofosbuvir-based treatment regimens and were assessed for liver fibrosis using the FIB-4 score at baseline, at end of treatment (EOT) and 12 weeks after EOT.

Results: The mean FIB-4 score at baseline was 2.45±0.42, at EOT was 1.0981±0.33 and at 12 weeks after EOT was 1.51±0.32.  As compared to the baseline, the mean FIB-4 score was significantly lesser at EOT (P=0.001) and at 12 weeks after EOT (P=0.001). A similar trend was observed across all stratified groups, i.e., age, gender, and type of patients (P<0.05 across all groups).

Conclusion: The sofosbuvir-based treatment regimen significantly reduced liver fibrosis at EOT and 12 weeks after EOT, as evidenced by FIB-4 scores that were significantly lower than baseline at EOT and 12 weeks after EOT.