Response of interferon alone and with ribavirin in patients of chronic hepatitis C.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to compare the response of interferon alone and interferon plus ribavirin in patients of chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
A case control interventional prospective study.


METHODS
Military Hospital and Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from January 2000 to January 2001.


METHODS
Sixty patients of chronic hepatitis C were selected on the basis of raised ALT, presence of antiHCV antibodies, detection of viral RNA on PCR and liver biopsy. They were divided into 3 groups. Group I constituted 20 patients who received treatment of interferon alpha alone. Group II included 20 patients who received combination therapy of Interferon alpha and ribavirin. Group III included 20 patients, who were unwilling for treatment due to personal reasons and were used as control group. Patients were then closely observed for 1 year for efficacy and safety of the treatment.


RESULTS
At completion of treatment HCV RNA levels in serum were not detectable in 15 of 20 (75%) patients who received interferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy as compared to 10 of 20 (50%) patients who received interferon alpha alone. Only 1 patient became HCV RNA negative in the control group. Normalization of ALT concentration and histologic response was proportionate to the virological response.


CONCLUSIONS
Combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin is more effective than treatment with interferon alone for minimizing viral load, improving ALT levels and histology.
Niaz
Asif
A
Department of Medicine, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. asifniazh@hotmail.com
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons