Response Guided Interferon Therapy for Genotype 3 of Chronic Hepatitis C: Compliance and Outcome

• Published in: Pakistan journal of medical sciences Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 843 - 847
• Main Authors: Sarwar, Shahid, Khan, Anwaar A, Tarique, Shandana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan Knowledge Bylanes 01.07.2015; AsiaNet Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd; Professional Medical Publications
• Subjects: Biological response modifiers; Care and treatment; Genetic aspects; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; Interferon; Liver; Original; Patient compliance; Chronic hepatitis C; Compliance; Response guided therapy; Sustained viral response (SVR); Genotype 3
• ISSN: 1682-024X; 1681-715X
• DOI: 10.12669/pjms.314.7293

To determine compliance and improvement in sustained viral response (SVR) by following response guided therapy (RGT) plan of interferon and ribavirin, for genotype 3 in chronic hepatitis C. Patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 3, who were eligible for interferon-ribavirin therapy and consented for RGT, were included. Those with no rapid viral response (RVR), having coarse echotexture of liver or undergoing re-treatment, were advised 48 week treatment whereas, rest had 24 week standard therapy. PCR for HCV RNA checked 6 months after discontinuing treatment, was the primary end point of study. Of 154 patients, included in the study with mean age of 39.9 (±10.84) and male to female ratio 1.4/1 (94/60), majority of patients, 136 (88.4%) were treatment naïve whereas, 18 (11.6%) were being retreated. On ultrasound, 63 (40.9%) patients had coarse liver and 33 (21.4%) had splenomegaly. RVR was achieved in 99 (64.3%) patients. Overall 66(42.8%) patients merited extended duration of therapy as per RGT plan but only 22 (33%) were compliant. Treatment related side effects were the dominant reason for declining RGT in 33 (75%) patients. SVR was noted in 111 (72.1%) patients. Those patients with extended therapy (RGT), had SVR 90.9% (20/22), although, better but statistically not significant than those who stopped therapy at 6 months 77.2% (34/44) (p value 0.11). Response guided therapy plan did not improve SVR to pegylatedinterferon and ribavirin therapy in patients with genotype 3 and it has low patient compliance due to treatment related side effects.