Decreasing frequency and improved outcomes of hepatitis C-related liver transplantation in the era of direct-acting antivirals – a retrospective cohort study

Benefit of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) on clinical outcomes is unclear. We examined temporal trends in liver transplant (LT) listings, receipt of LT, re-LT, and survival between pre-DAA (2009–2012) and DAA era (2013–2016) using UNOS database. Of 32 319 first adult LT, 15 049 (47%) were performed for HCV. Trends on listing, first LT, and of re-LT for HCV showed 23%, 20%, and 21% decrease in DAA compared to pre-DAA era (P < 0.0001). One-year liver graft and patient survival among HCV LT improved in DAA era (90% vs. 86% and 92% vs. 88%, respectively, P < 0.0001). Non-HCV LT showed no improvement in survival (89% vs. 89% and 92% vs. 92.4%, P = NS). On cox regression, compared to non-HCV LTs in DAA era, LT for HCV in pre-DAA era had worse patient survival (HR 1.56 [1.04–2.35]). The outcome was similar when compared to LTs for HCV in DAA era and for non-HCV in pre-DAA era. Burden of HCV-related LT waitlist and LT is declining in DAA era, with improved post-transplant outcomes, more so in later than earlier DAA era. Our findings negate recent Cochrane meta-analysis on DAA therapy and encourage studies to examine HCV clinical outcomes outside LT setting.