Abstract

OBJECTIVES: People who inject drugs (PWID) are at high risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. HCV cure is associated with improved patient reported outcomes (PROs), but there are little data among PWID. The aim of this study was to assess the change in PROs during and after HCV direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. METHODS: This analysis utilised data from two clinical trials of DAA treatment in PWID. PROs assessed included health-related quality life (HRQoL), social functioning, psychological distress, housing and employment. Generalised estimating equations (GEE) and group-based trajectory modelling (GBTM) were used to assess changes in PROs over time. RESULTS: No significant changes in EQ-5D-3L scores, EQ-VAS scores, social functioning, psychological distress, and housing were observed over the 108-week study period. There was a significant increase in the proportion of participants employed (18% [95% CI, 12 - 23%] at baseline to 28% [95% CI, 19 - 36%] at the end of the study). Participants were more likely to be employed at 24 weeks and 108 weeks following commencing treatment. Having stable housing increased the odds of being employed (OR= 1.70, [95% CI, 1.00 - 2.90]. The GBTM demonstrated that most outcomes remained stable during and after DAA treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant improvement in HRQoL following HCV DAA treatment was identified, there was a modest, but significant increase in employment during study follow-up. The study findings support the need for multifaceted models of HCV care for PWID addressing a range of issues beyond HCV treatment to improve quality of life.

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