title: Peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) [Pegasys] improves HR-QOL outcomes compared with unmodified interferon alpha-2a [Roferon-A]: in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of unmodified interferon alpha-2a in chronic hepatitis C is associated with impaired health-related quality of life during therapy. Treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) provides an improved sustained response over unmodified interferon alpha-2a.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare health-related quality of life during treatment for patients receiving peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) [Pegasys] versus unmodified interferon alpha-2a [Roferon].
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised, international, multicentre, open-label, parallel group study.
  
  
  METHODS
  36 centres worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interferon-naïve patients (n = 531) with chronic hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) 180 mirog once a week (n = 267) for 48 weeks or unmodified interferon alpha-2a 6 million IU three times a week for 12 weeks followed by 36 weeks of 3 million IU three times a week (n = 264).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fatigue Severity Scale and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36).
  
  
  RESULTS
  At weeks 2 and 12, differences favouring peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) were seen on seven of eight domains and both summary scores of the SF-36 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). At weeks 2, 12 and 24, patients receiving peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) had less disabling fatigue (p < 0.01) than those receiving unmodified interferon alpha-2a.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with peginterferon alpha-2a (40kD) is associated with less disabling fatigue and less impairment in patient functioning and well-being during treatment than unmodified interferon alpha-2a. In addition to safety and efficacy, the impact on health-related quality of life may be an important consideration for physicians when selecting an optimal treatment regimen.
authors.affiliation: Klinikum der Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany. rasenack@mm21.ukl.uni-freiburg.de
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rasenack
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeuzem
authors.forename: S Victor
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Feinman
authors.forename: E Jenny
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Heathcote
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manns
authors.forename: Eric M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Mark G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gane
authors.forename: Moises
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diago
authors.forename: Dennis A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Revicki
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wintfeld
authors.forename: Jesse
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Green
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011788:Quality of Life; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a