ISSN:
1365-2036
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The effectiveness and tolerability of combination therapy for 12 months have not been evaluated sufficiently in chronic hepatitis C relapsers to interferon.〈section xml:id="abs1-2"〉〈title type="main"〉Aims:To evaluate the sustained response to interferon plus ribavirin for 12 months in chronic hepatitis C relapsers.〈section xml:id="abs1-3"〉〈title type="main"〉Methods:We included 55 chronic hepatitis C relapsers in a 12-month treatment protocol with interferon (3 MU thrice weekly) plus ribavirin (1–1.2 g/day). The effectiveness was evaluated using serum aminotransferase and hepatitis C virus RNA levels, alanine aminotransferase normalization and viraemia clearance after 12 months, defining the end-of-treatment response, and 6 months after completion of therapy, defining the sustained response. Adverse effects were recorded.〈section xml:id="abs1-4"〉〈title type="main"〉Results:End-of-treatment response and sustained response were achieved in 47 (85%) and 37 (67%) patients, respectively; there were 10 (21%) relapsers after combination therapy. Predictive factors of sustained response included the genotype (non-1 95% vs. 1 48%; P 〈 0.001), lower viraemia (503 917 ± 553 230 vs. 901 393 ± 548 267 copies/mL; P 〈 0.005), higher alanine aminotransferase levels (137 ± 75 vs. 103 ± 41 IU/L; P 〈 0.05) and a lower γ-glutamyl transpeptidase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (0.30 ± 0.23 vs. 0.49 ± 0.39; P 〈 0.05). Tolerance to therapy was good, with no withdrawals.〈section xml:id="abs1-5"〉〈title type="main"〉Conclusions:Interferon plus ribavirin treatment for 12 months in chronic hepatitis C relapsers yields high sustained response rates and is well tolerated. The sustained response is related to a non-1 genotype, lower baseline viraemia, higher alanine aminotransferase level and a lower γ-glutamyl transpeptidase/alanine aminotransferase ratio.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2036.2002.01162.x
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