Direct-acting antiviral drugs improve the female sexual burden associated with chronic HCV infection.

Background

The impact of patient cure by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) on female sexual dysfunction (FSD) associated with HCV hasn't been studied.Aim: To study the impact of DAAs on associated FSD in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Methods

In patients with chronic HCV infection who were eligible for DAAs, the self-administered female-sexual-function index (FSFI) questionnaire was completed by 300 sexually active females' patients before treatment and compared to equal number of age and socioeconomically matched controls. FSFI questionnaire results after treatment were compared to patients' baseline results.

Results

The mean total score for the patients was significantly lower than that for controls (16.77 ± 1.36 versus 17.52 ± 0.99, P < 0.001). Patients after treatment with DAAs significantly scored better results than baseline results in the total score and all domains of the questionnaire and significantly less patients had FSD compared to baseline (2.7% versus 29.3% P < 0.05). Patients' mean FSFI score significantly improved after cure (18.8 ± 0.27 vs. 16.77 ± 1.36, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Hepatitis C has negative impacts on FSF and affecting all domains of FSFI. The DAAS improve the sexual burden associated with hepatitis C in patients who achieved sustained virologic response.