Ogawa E, Kawano A, Ooho A, et al. - Researchers examined how hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) is associated with long-term hepatic function in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

• In this multicenter cohort study, data of 394 patients (median age: 70; 41% with modified albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade 2b) were included.

• Significant improvement in FIB-4 index and ALBI score occurred during a short-term follow-up 1 year after the end of treatment.

• Decompensation was observed at an annual incidence of 1.30 per 100 person-years.

• Decompensation was observed in correlation with male gender and modified ALBI grade 2b at baseline.

• HCV cure leads to remarkable improvement in hepatic function in patients with compensated cirrhosis treated with a DAA, especially during the first year after the end of treatment.

• Overall outcomes suggest great benefits of providing treatment in the early stage of cirrhosis for preventing liver deterioration to decompensation.