Pegylated Interferon/Ribavirin dual therapy in patients with chronic Hepatitis C: results of 323 cases

Year 2015, Volume: 5 Issue: 4, 151 - 155, 06.02.2016

Aynur Atilla Emel Duyar Fatih Bostancı S. Sırrı Kılıç

https://doi.org/10.5799/ahinjs.02.2015.04.0196

Abstract

Objective: The combination of pegylated interferon-α (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin has become a mainstay in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment in patients with CHC, while considering new approaches.

Methods: A total of 323 patients with CHC underwent PEG-IFN and ribavirin combination treatment from the 3 centers (2 in Ordu and 1 in Samsun provinces) in Middle Black Sea region between the years of 2003-2013.

Results: Of the patients, 208 (67%) were female and had a mean age 54 ± 10 years (median: 54; 19-70). Genotyping was performed in 163 patients, and 161 patients (98.8%) revealed genotype 1. Sustained virologic response (SVR) and the end of treatment response rates ere 58.3% and 75.6%, respectively. In patients with rapid virological response, the SVR rate was 85.1%, whereas in patients with a HCV RNA level less than 800,000 IU/ml, the SVR rate was 71.2%. The SVR rates were found to be higher in patients who developed hypothyroidism, which was statistically significant (p = 0.03). The most frequent side effect was anemia, followed by thrombocytopenia, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

Conclusion: Presently, PEG-IFN/ribavirin is still an option in the treatment of certain patient populations even after the consideration of newer treatment methods. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2015;5(4): 151-155

Key words: Pegylated interferon, ribavirin, therapy, hepatitis C

Keywords

-

References

• Ansaldi F, Orsi A, Sticchi L, et al. Hepatitis C virus in the new era: perspectives in epidemiology, prevention, diagnostics and predictors of response to therapy. World J Gastroenterol 2014;7;20:9633-9652.
• Cornberg M, Razavi HA, Alberti A, et al. A systematic review of
• hepatitis C virus epidemiology in Europe, Canada and Israel. Liver International 2011;31 Suppl 2:30-60.
• McHutchison JG, Lawitz EJ, Shiffman ML, et al; IDEAL Study Team Peginterferon alfa-2b or alfa-2a with ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C infection. N Engl J Med 2009;361:580-593.
• Fried MW, Shiffman ML, Reddy KR, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2a plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virüs infection. N Engl J Med 2002;347:975-982.
• Manns MP, McHutchison JG, Gordon SC, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin compared with interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C:a randomized trial. Lancet 2001;358:958-965.
• Hadziyannis SJ, Sette H Jr, Morgan TR, et al. PEGASYS International Study Group Peginterferon-alpha 2a and ribavirin
• combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C: a randomized study of treatment duration and ribavirin dose. Ann Intern Med 2004;140:346-355.
• Conjeevaram HS, Fried MW, Jeffers LJ, et al. Virahep-C Study
• Group Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment in African American
• and Caucasian American patients with hepatitis C genotype 1. Gastroenterology 2006;131:470-477.
• Jacobson IM, Brown RS Jr, McCone J, et al. WIN-R Study Group Impact of weight-based ribavirin with peginterferon alfa-2b in African Americans with hepatitis C virüs genotype 1. Hepatology 2007;46:982-990.
• Yan KK, Guirgis M, Dinh T, et al. Treatment responses in Asians and Caucasians with chronic hepatitis C infection.World J Gastroenterol 2008;14:3416-3420.
• Manns MP, Wedemeyer H, Cornberg M. Treating viral hepatitis C: efficacy, side effects, and complications. Gut 2006;55:1350-1359.
• Berg T, Weich V, Teuber G, et al. Individualized treatment
• strategy according to early viral kinetics in hepatitis C virus type 1-infected patients. Hepatology 2009;50:369-377.
• Mauss S, Berg T, Rockstroh J Sarrazin C, Wedemeyer H. Short Guide to Hepatitis C 2013 edition.
• Zeuzem S, Buti M, Ferenci P, et al. Efficacy of 24 weeks treatment
• with peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C infected with genotype 1 and low pretreatment viremia. J Hepatol 2006;44:97-103.
• Fried MW. Side effects of therapy of hepatitis C and their management. Hepatology 2002;36(5 suppl 1):237–244.
• Mauss S, Hueppe D, Zehnter E, et al. Thyroid dysfunctioninduced
• by Peginterferon-alfa-2b/ribavirin (Peg2b/RBV) is a favorable predictor of SVR in patients with HCV genotype 1but not genotype 2/3 infection. APASL Liver Week 6th-10th June 2013. Singapore p288.