Severe adverse events during antiviral therapy in hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients: A systematic review

Table 2 Description of severe adverse event leading to premature discontinuation of antiviral treatment in hepatitis C virus cirrhotic patients (%)

Name of severe adverse event	No. of patient discontinuities
Severe thrombocytopenia and/or neutropenia	27 (23.2)
Psychiatric disorders (depression, psychosis, confusion, lethargy)	18 (15.5)
Decompensation of liver cirrhosis (ascites with or without spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; jaundice; hepatic encephalopathy)	14 (12.1)
Severe anemia	13 (11.2)
Occurrence of malignancies	6 (5.1) - 4 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 1 case of tongue carcinoma and 1 case of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma recurrence
Allergic reactions to medication	5 (4.3)
Severe infections	5 (4.3)
Severe fatigue	5 (4.3) - in 2 cases accompanied also by “flu-like” syndrome
Neurological disorders (stroke, polyneuropathy, hemiparesthesia)	5 (4.3)
Heart disease (heart failure or acute coronary syndrome)	3 (2.5)
Endocrinology disorders	3 (2.5)
Diabetes decompensation	2 (1.7)
Persistent fever	2 (1.7)
Severe denutrition	2 (1.7)
Aminotransferases flare	1 (0.8)
Severe decrease of vision	1 (0.8)
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding	1 (0.8) - the cause of bleeding was not specified
Acute pancreatitis	1 (0.8)
Severe flare of psoriasis	1 (0.8)