Anemia during treatment of hepatitis C in HIV-infected patients.
Anemia is a significant adverse effect of current hepatitis C treatment and may be a particular problem for HIV-infected patients, in whom there is a high prevalence of disease- or drug-related anemia at baseline. Hepatitis C treatment-induced anemia in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients can lead to ribavirin dose reduction or premature discontinuation of hepatitis C therapy, limiting sustained virologic response rates. Mean decreases in hemoglobin levels during hepatitis C treatment appear to be less in HIV-HCV-coinfected patients than in HCV-monoinfected patients, but any decrease in hemoglobin level may be more of a problem for coinfected patients. Thus, close monitoring of the hemoglobin level and appropriate management of the anemia that may develop in HIV-infected patients during hepatitis C therapy is essential.
Lo Re
Vincent
V
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelpha, Pennsylvania, USA.
Kostman
Jay R
JR
D000740:Anemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D012254:Ribavirin