Second-generation direct-acting-antiviral hepatitis C virus treatment: Efficacy, safety, and predictors of SVR12

Table 4 Patient self-reported side effects during treatment, and for comparison of self-reported side effects of PEG-interferon containing regimen and interferon-free treatment Fisher’s exact test was used

Side effects	Overall1		PEG-IFN co-treatment2		IFN-free treatment3		P value
Fatigue	93	39.2%	26	54.2%	67	35.4%	0.020
Cephalgia	52	21.9%	9	18.8%	43	22.8%	0.697
Bone/joint pain/myalgia	38	16.0%	12	25.0%	26	13.8%	0.077
Nausea/vomiting	38	16.0%	14	29.2%	24	12.7%	0.008
							0.163
Insomnia	28	11.8%	16	33.3%	12	6.3%	< 0.0001
Vertigo	16	6.8%	6	12.5%	10	5.3%	0.102
Flu-like symptoms	14	5.9%	12	25.0%	2	1.1%	< 0.0001
Abdominal discomfort/pain	17	7.2%	3	6.3%	15	7.9%	1.000
Pruritus	18	7.6%	4	8.3%	13	6.9%	0.755
Diarrhea	13	5.5%	7	14.6%	6	3.2%	0.006
Any rash	14	5.9%	7	14.6%	7	3.7%	0.010
Anorexia	9	3.8%	4	8.3%	5	2.6%	0.085
Nervousness	7	3.0%	4	8.3%	3	1.6%	0.033
Depression/fear	5	2.1%	2	4.2%	3	1.6%	0.267
Dyspnoea	7	3.0%	4	8.3%	3	1.6%	0.030
Concentration weakness	4	1.7%	2	4.2%	2	1.1%	0.183
Visual changes	4	1.7%	1	2.1%	3	1.6%	1.000
Loss of hair	4	1.7%	1	2.1%	3	1.6%	1.000
Tachycardia/palpitations	2	0.8%	2	4.3%	0	0.0%	0.040
Meteorism	3	1.3%	0	0.0%	3	1.6%	1.000
Aggression	2	0.8%	2	4.2%	0	0.0%	0.040
Fever/chills	1	0.4%	1	2.1%	0	0.0%	0.200
Attacks of sweating	1	0.4%	1	2.1%	0	0.0%	0.200
Gingivitis	1	0.4%	0	0.0%	1	0.5%	1.000
Cough	1	0.4%	1	2.1%	0	0.0%	0.200
Neurological symptoms	1	0.4%	0	0.0%	1	0.7%	1.000

¹Side effect reports were available in 237 of 260 patients;

²In PEG-IFN co-treated patients (n = 51), side effect reports were available in 48 patients;

³In IFN-free treated patients (n = 209), side effects reports were available in 189 patients. Significant calculations (P < 0.05) are printed in bold. IFN: Interferon.