Treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) with AbbVie’s Viekira regimen (ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir; dasabuvir) among those coinfected with HIV is likely safe for the kidneys, Infectious Disease Advisor reports.

Publishing their findings in PLOS ONE, researchers gave the Viekira regimen to 144 people with HIV and genotype 1 of HCV.

Following treatment, 41.7 percent of the participants saw their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR, an indication of kidney function) decline by 5 percent or more. Sixty-five percent of those who experienced such a reduction maintained the decline 12 weeks after completing treatment.

The median decline in eGFR, however, was only 2 milliliters per minute, which the study authors stated had “doubtful clinical significance,” meaning it was unlikely to be associated with actual medical problems.

Factors associated with a decline in eGFR during the study included living with HCV for longer than 12.9 years (2.9-fold greater likelihood of a decline in eGFR); having a hep C viral load below 1.97 million (3.5-fold greater likelihood); and having a platelet count below 167,000 (2.8-fold greater likelihood).

Additional factors associated with a decline in eGFR included being treated with Viread (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate), ribavirin or HIV integrase inhibitors, living longer with HIV, having been treated for HCV before and being older.

To read the Infectious Disease Advisor article, click here.

To read the study, click here.