How Direct-Acting Antivirals Are Transforming Hepatitis C Care in Saudi Arabia: Insights From a 2016–2023.

Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) have transformed hepatitis C care, offering high cure rates and improved safety. This study from Saudi Arabia (2016–2023) highlights their real-world impact, showing remarkable treatment success and a sharp decline in HCV incidence.
How Direct-Acting Antivirals Are Transforming Hepatitis C Care in Saudi Arabia: Insights From a 2016–2023.
Like

Share this post

Choose a social network to share with, or copy the URL to share elsewhere

This is a representation of how your post may appear on social media. The actual post will vary between social networks

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has long been a major global health burden, historically associated with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. For years, interferon-based therapies were the backbone of treatment yet they were difficult to tolerate, required long treatment durations, and produced inconsistent cure rates.

The introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) changed the landscape entirely. DAAs offer cure rates exceeding 95%, shorter treatment durations, improved safety profiles, and greater accessibility. Yet, despite these advances, Saudi Arabia has faced a lack of large-scale real-world data describing the clinical impact of DAAs on local HCV patients.

A recent retrospective study from 2016–2023 helps fill this gap and provides encouraging evidence for both clinicians and policymakers.

Study Overview

Researchers analyzed 144 Saudi HCV patients treated with DAAs in an outpatient setting over a seven-year period (2016–2023). The study focused on:

  • Genotype distribution.

  • Treatment response.

  • Biochemical improvements.

  • Trends in HCV incidence.

This real-world cohort provides valuable insights into treatment success and epidemiological shifts in HCV within the country.

Key Findings

1. 100% Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) Achieved

All 144 patients (100%) achieved SVR meaning their viral load became undetectable after treatment. This remarkable outcome highlights the reliability and potency of modern DAAs.

2. Genotype Distribution

The genotype breakdown revealed:

  • 38.9%: Genotype 4 (GT4) the most prevalent genotype in the region.

  • 20.1%: GT1.

  • 6.3%: GT2.

  • 5.6%: GT3.

  • 29.2%: Unknown genotype.

The high proportion of unknown genotypes underscores a need for expanded genotyping capacity, although many DAAs remain effective regardless of genotype.

3. Significant Improvement in Liver Enzymes

After treatment, patients showed marked biochemical improvement:

  • ALT, AST, ALPSignificant reduction (p = 0.000).

  • Conjugated bilirubin → No significant change.

These improvements reflect reduced liver inflammation and confirm the therapeutic impact of DAAs beyond viral suppression.

4. A 77% Reduction in HCV Incidence Over Seven Years

Between 2016 and 2023, HCV incidence in the studied population fell from 0.54% to 0.12%—a dramatic 77% decline.

This trend likely reflects:

  • Successful DAA implementation.

  • Improved screening.

  • Better public health awareness.

  • Possibly reduced transmission through medical and non-medical exposures.

Why These Findings Matter

Clinical Implications

  • DAAs are highly effective across diverse genotypes.

  • Rapid improvement in liver function parameters supports earlier treatment.

  • Universal SVR rates reinforce their use as the standard of care.

Public Health Impact

  • The significant drop in incidence suggests meaningful progress toward viral elimination.

  • Data may guide national strategies under WHO’s HCV elimination goals for 2030.

  • Understanding genotype patterns helps in resource planning and drug procurement.

Future Directions

Although the results are promising, long-term questions remain:

  • How durable is SVR over decades?

  • What is the residual risk of HCC in cured patients with advanced fibrosis?

  • Can screening programs be further optimized?

  • What additional strategies can push incidence even lower?

Further research especially multicenter and prospective studies will help refine treatment pathways and strengthen Saudi Arabia’s national hepatitis control efforts.

Conclusion

This seven-year retrospective study provides solid evidence that DAA therapy is highly effective for Saudi HCV patients, achieving universal cure rates and significantly improving liver health. Coupled with the striking decline in HCV incidence, these findings emphasize the transformative impact DAAs are having in the region.

As Saudi Arabia continues to expand access to antiviral therapy and enhance screening initiatives, it is well-positioned to move closer to the goal of eliminating hepatitis C as a public health threat.

Authors:

Fatimah Salem Alayidh, Alexander Woodman, Nawaf Yahya Zakary, Rehab Yusuf Al-Ansari, Sharjeel Chaudhry, Amal Omar Alsaadi, Khadijah Ahmad Alharbi, Batool Abdullah Alamri, Shahad Mousa Alhomud, Shahad Hassan Albather, Sarah Abdullah Bataweel, Nouf Ahmed Madkhali, Samira Jamaan Alzahrani, Zarmina Ehtesham.

Please sign in or register for FREE

If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in

Follow the Topic

Pathology
Life Sciences > Health Sciences > Clinical Medicine > Pathology

Related Collections

With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.

Cutting-edge diagnostics for infectious diseases: emerging technologies and approaches

BMC Infectious Diseases invites submissions for a Collection on Cutting-edge diagnostics for infectious diseases.

The field of diagnostics for infectious diseases is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for timely and accurate detection methods. Traditional diagnostic techniques often fall short in terms of speed and sensitivity, highlighting a pressing need for innovative solutions. Recent advances in technologies such as molecular diagnostics, biosensors, and next-generation sequencing are paving the way for more efficient and reliable testing methodologies. These emerging approaches have the potential to revolutionize the identification of pathogens, enabling faster clinical decision-making and improving patient outcomes.

Addressing the challenges posed by infectious diseases is critical, particularly in an era marked by global health crises and the rise of antimicrobial resistance. The development and implementation of rapid diagnostic tools can facilitate timely interventions, ultimately reducing morbidity and mortality rates. As researchers and healthcare professionals work collaboratively, significant strides have been made in understanding the complexities of infectious diseases. This includes the adaptation of point-of-care testing technologies that bring laboratory capabilities closer to patients, thus enhancing the capacity for early diagnosis and treatment.

If current research trends continue, we may see transformative advancements that integrate artificial intelligence and machine learning into diagnostic processes. Such innovations could lead to the creation of smart diagnostics that not only detect infections with high accuracy but also provide real-time surveillance data. Future technologies may enable rapid identification of emerging pathogens, thus enhancing public health response strategies and mitigating outbreaks before they escalate.

- Advances in molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases

- Innovations in rapid diagnostic testing

- Applications of next-generation sequencing in pathogen detection

- Biosensors for real-time infectious disease monitoring

- Point-of-care testing technologies and their impact

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Mar 15, 2026

Infectious disease management in infants and children

BMC Infectious Diseases invites submissions for a Collection on Infectious diseases in infants and children.

Infectious diseases in infants and children represent a significant burden on healthcare systems globally, often leading to serious complications, long-term health issues, and even mortality. This Collection aims to explore the diverse range of infectious diseases that specifically affect the pediatric population, including but not limited to respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections, and vaccine-preventable diseases. Understanding the unique immune responses and vulnerabilities of young children is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies tailored to their needs.

The continued research into pediatric infectious diseases is vital for several reasons. Advances in immunization have significantly reduced the incidence of many vaccine-preventable diseases; however, challenges remain, particularly with the emergence of antimicrobial resistance and the resurgence of certain infections. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of infection control measures in childcare, preschool, and school settings and highlighted the need for ongoing surveillance of childhood diseases. This area of research promises to contribute to improved health outcomes for infants and children worldwide.

With sustained research efforts, we can anticipate significant advances in the future, including the development of novel vaccines, improved diagnostics, and tailored treatment protocols. Continued exploration of the epidemiology of childhood diseases will further enhance our understanding of transmission dynamics and inform public health interventions.

We invite pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, public health professionals, immunologists, epidemiologists, and researchers in related fields to contribute original research articles on topics including but not limited to:

- Pediatric infectious diseases and their management

- Early childhood immunity and its implications

- Epidemiology of respiratory infections in children

- Antimicrobial resistance trends in pediatric settings

- Infection control in childcare, preschool, and school settings

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.

Publishing Model: Open Access

Deadline: Jun 30, 2026