CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

RESPONSE TO INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN COMBINATION

Abstract

Objectives: To know efficacy of combination of standard interferon α2b and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C. Design: Prospective and analytical. Setting: CMH Bahawalpur. Period: Nov 2008 to Dec 2009. Materials and methods: A total of 126 patients, 104 males and 22 females, fulfilling inclusion and exclusion criteria were started combination treatment. Of these, 110 (87.3%) completed the treatment while 16 (12.7%) patients could not complete the treatment so they were dropped out of this study. Patients were started on  nterferon α2b in a dose of three million units sub-cutaneous (s/c) thrice a week along with daily Ribavirin 1000 milligram (mg) and 1200 mg orally for patients weighing less or more than 75 kilogram (kg) respectively. The primary outcomes, normalization of ALT and undetectable HCV-RNA by PCR, were determined at end of three and six months of treatment. Results: From Nov 2008 to Dec 2009, a total of 110 patients were treated with combination of Interferon α2b and Ribavirin for 24 weeks. Sixty eight patients (62%), 52 males and 12 females showed “end of treatment response” (ETR). Conclusions: Results of the study show effectiveness of the combination therapy of standard interferon and ribavirin for Chronic Hepatitis C. Results of this study are comparable to local and international studies.