title: Mixed cryoglobulinaemia associated with hepatitis C virus infection: a predictor factor for treatment with interferon?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) is a frequent finding among patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The response to treatment with alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) in these patients is linked to predictive factors. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the presence of MC was a predictive factor of response in patients treated with alpha-IFN for chronic hepatitis due to HCV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with MC and HCV infection (24 with chronic hepatitis and eight with cirrhosis) were compared with 30 patients with HCV infection without MC (23 chronic hepatitis, seven cirrhosis) of a similar mean age. All were treated with lymphoblastoid alpha-IFN, at 3 MU, t.i.w., for 6-12 months and then followed up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical difference was observed between the two groups in terms of sustained response (P = 0.83), relapse (P = 0.88) and non-response (P = 0.92). The mean follow up was 24.3 months (range 17-28) for patients with sustained response and for the patients with MC and 22.6 months (range 15-26) for patients without MC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The presence of cryoglobulinaemia does not influence the response to alpha-IFN in patients with chronic HCV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pellicano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marietti
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Arena
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Palmas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rizzetto
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ponzetto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003449:Cryoglobulinemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha