Fatigue and Cognitive Impairment in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients after Direct-Acting Antivirals: Impact on Health-Related Quality of Life
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Background and Aim: Fatigue is probably the most common extra hepatic manifestation of HCV infection with a prevalence of around 50%. Many patients with HCV suffer from impaired concentra¬tion and memory; several studies have reported evidence of cognitive dysfunction in patients with HCV. We aimed to asses fatigue, cognitive impairment in HCV patients receiving Direct Acting Antivirals (DAAs) and evaluate it is effect in health related quality of life. Patients and methods: 40 middle aged naive chronic HCV patients candied to receive DAAs were included in our study. Evaluation of Cognitive impairment in HCV patients before and 6 months after therapy by: Psychometric tests and Auditory evoked potential P300. Assessment of fatigue and HRQOL in those patients was done by chronic liver disease questionnaire (CLDQ) before and 6 months after therapy. Results: There were significant statistically changes in P300 latency and amplitude in our patients before and after treatment. Higher scores of CLDQ were seen in chronic HCV patients before treatment, and there was significant statistically changes in different domains of CLDQ before and after treatment. Conclusion: We conclude that direct acting antivirals do not only achieved virological response on chronic HCV patients but also, improve cognitive function, concentration and memory, also, fatigue, depression, and HRQOL were improved in those patients after treatment.
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