HEPATITIS C PATIENTS;

TREATMENT COMPLIANCE OF HAVING POOR SOCIOECONOMIC BACK GROUND

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the impact of antiviral treatment of Hepatitis C patients with poor socioeconomic resources. Design: Prospective cohort study. Place and Duration: Department of Medicine, Sheikh Zayed
Medical College / Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, from August 2006 to February 2007. Subjects and Method:One hundred
known cases of hepatitis C were selected. PCR and biochemical tests were performed before the start of therapy.
Interferon and Ribavirin therapy was given according to standard therapeutic protocol. Patients were continuously
motivated and educated for regular treatment. The observations were collected regularly. Results: Out of hundred
cases 95 improved symptomatically. One got worse while 4 remained symptomatic. At the end of therapy PCR was
performed only in 4 cases. Conclusion: In non affording patients although exact status of viral clearance is not known
but some thing is better than nothing rule was applied for treatment of patients