EFFECT OF DIFFERENT FACTORS;

INTERFERON ALPHA PLUS RIBAVIRIN COMBINATION THERAPY

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the effect of different factors on the efficacy of treatment in Hepatitis C patients. Study Design: Descriptive, analytical study. Setting: Shalamar hospital Lahore. Period: October 2010 to May 2013. Materials and Methods: A total of 254 Hepatitis C patients infected with different genotypes of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) were treated with Interferon alpha 2b plus Ribavirin (IFNα-2b+RBV) for 6-12 months according to viral genotype. Before starting the treatment, the presence of HCV and its quantity in the patient was done by real-time PCR. HCV Genotyping was done by multiplex PCR. Results: The patients with <40 years of age or had less than 2 million international units per milliliter basic viral load (<2 MIU/ml) showed better end of therapy (EOT) and sustained virological response (SVR) than ≥40 years of age or ≥2 MIU/mL basic viral load. The response of males to Interferon therapy was better than females. The patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 4 exhibited lower response than those infected with other than 1 or 4 genotype. The affect of other variables like alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, injection brand change or missing the injection during therapy were also remarkable in the present study. Conclusions: With proper management of the factors mentioned in the present study efficacy of the treatment can be improved.