Treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype IV with interferon-ribavirin combination in Saudi Arabia: a multicentre study.
Between 1996 and 1997, we conducted a multicentre study to assess the effect of combination therapy of interferon (IFN) + ribavirin on chronic hepatitis C genotype 4. Ninety-seven patients were enrolled. Sixty-eight patients (47 male and 21 female) were non-responders to previous therapy with IFN (Group I). Twenty-nine patients (19 male and 10 female) were new (Group II). Following treatment with IFN, 23% in Group I and 9% in Group II had a sustained biochemical response. Only 12% in Group I and 5% in Group II achieved a sustained virological response. Virus load was found to be the major factor determining response, followed by histology grading and staging. Like HCV genotype 1, HCV genotype 4 seems to have a poor response to therapy.
Al-Faleh
F Z
FZ
College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Aljumah
A
A
Rezeig
M
M
Al-Kanawi
Al-Otaibi
M
M
Alahdal
M
M
Al-Humayed
S
S
Mayet
I
I
Al-Juhani
M
M
Al-Karawi
M
M
George
K
K
Sbeih
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012529:Saudi Arabia
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D007370:Interferon Type I; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin