Hepatitis C Eradication Can Benefit Diabetes Control

Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) agents was associated with improved glycemic control in patients with diabetes, according to a recent study.

The researchers included 2435 patients with diabetes and HCV who underwent interferon-free and ribavirin-free DAA-based antiviral treatment in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Among the participants with elevated baseline hemoglobin A1c, antiviral treated was associated with a greater drop in hemoglobin A1c among individuals who achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) that those who experienced treatment failure.
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The use of antidiabetic medications, especially insulin, were decreased more in patients who achieved SVR than those experiencing treatment failure.

“DAA-based eradication of HCV is associated with improved glycemic control in patients with diabetes as evidenced by decreased mean HbA1c and decreased insulin use. These endocrine benefits of SVR provide additional justification for considering antiviral treatment in all patients with diabetes.”

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Hum J, Jou JH, Green PK, et al. Improvement in glycemic control of type 2 diabetes after successful treatment of hepatitis c virus [published online June 2017]. Diabetes Care. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2337/dc17-0485.