Does HCV treatment completion affect the neurocognitive outcomes in patients on opioid agonist maintenance treatment: A secondary analysis

Abhishek Ghosh; Abhishek Verma; Arka De; Madhumita Premkumar; Ajay Duseja; Ritu Nehra; Debasish Basu

doi:10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_900_24

Does HCV treatment completion affect the neurocognitive outcomes in patients on opioid agonist maintenance treatment: A secondary analysis

Indian J Psychiatry. 2025 Feb;67(2):260-266. doi: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_900_24. Epub 2025 Feb 19.

Authors

Abhishek Ghosh¹, Abhishek Verma^{1

2}, Arka De³, Madhumita Premkumar³, Ajay Duseja³, Ritu Nehra¹, Debasish Basu¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychiatry, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
² Department of Psychology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
³ Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

PMID: 40181882
PMCID: PMC11964169
DOI: 10.4103/indianjpsychiatry.indianjpsychiatry_900_24

Abstract

Aim: This secondary analysis investigated whether completing Direct-Acting Antiviral (DAA) treatment affects neurocognitive outcomes in patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) undergoing opioid agonist maintenance treatment (OAMT).

Methods: Data from 45 participants (22 DAA treatment completers and 23 non-completers) were analyzed. Neurocognitive function was assessed at baseline and six months using the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Trail Making Tests (TMT A and B), Visual and Verbal N-Back tests, and Iowa Gambling Task (IGT).

Results: General Linear Model (GLM) analysis revealed significant improvements in cognitive function over time in both groups, with notable gains in WCST total correct responses (P < .001) and Visual Working Memory 2 Back hits and errors (P < .001). A significant Group × Time was found for TMT-B completion time, with non-completers showing greater improvement (P = .039).

Conclusion: These findings highlight that even incomplete DAA treatment, alongside OAMT, yields significant cognitive benefits, underscoring the importance of integrated care.

Keywords: Cognitive functions; directly acting anti-viral; hepatitis C; opioid agonist maintenance treatment.

Grants and funding

The primary study was funded by the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi.