OBJECTIVES: ZEPATIER® (elbasvir/grazoprevir; EBR/GZR) is a direct-acting antiviral drug for chronic C hepatitis (HCV). As the patterns of use of EBR/GZR in routine medical practice is little documented, the objective was to describe patients receiving EBR/GZR in real-world practice in France, as well as treatment duration.

METHODS: The national health insurance information system database lists all in and outpatient healthcare consumption for individuals covered by the national health system. All patients initiating EBR/GZR between January 1 and June 30, 2017 were identified in the database and followed until June 30, 2017. The outcomes were patient’s baseline characteristics, the duration of EBR/GZR treatment, as well as management of care, medical contacts and co-medications of interest in the 12 months prior to EBR/GZR initiation.

RESULTS: A total of 2,337 patients initiating EBR/GZR were analysed (mean age of 55.7 years (SD=12.8); 50.9% females; 23.1% with deprived socio-economic status). In the 12 months prior to initiation of EBR/GZR, 37.5% of patients had a fibroscan and 39.1% had one or more biological fibrosis score. Psychiatric disorders and diabetes were found in 11.0% and 8.0% of patients, respectively. A completed treatment course follow-up was available for 951 patients. The mean duration of EBR/GZR was 78.5 days (SD=18.1) and the median was 84 days. Among these patients, 1.7% had received another treatment for HCV in the 12 months before the initiation of EBR/GZR. Sub-group of patients with HCV-HIV co-infection accounted for 4.3% and sub-group of patients receiving substitution treatments (methadone or buprenorphine) for 6.6%.

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified 2,337 patients initiating EBR/GZR, and 951 patients had a completed treatment course defined. The median duration of EBR/GZR treatment was close to recommendations (84 days, or 12 weeks). Data will be confirmed on a larger numbers of patients, with a longer follow-up period.