Peginterferon alpha/ribavirin combination therapy for the treatment of hepatitis C infection.
Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus is widespread in the United States. This disease is associated with a progression of fibrosis of the liver leading to liver cirrhosis in as many as 20% of cases. The current standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection is combination therapy with pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin. In more than 50% of patients, this regimen has been shown to induce a sustained viral response, defined as undetectable hepatitis C viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) for 6 months after the end of treatment. Typically, patients are treated for 24 or 48 weeks. A number of possible adverse events are associated with combination therapy, and patient empowerment through supportive nursing care is critical to facilitating patient adherence to treatment. This article provides an update on information concerning the diagnosis and treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection. This information can be tailored to provide patient-focused assessment, education, and treatment.
Zic
Ivanka
I
Beth Israel Medical Center, Division of Digestive Diseases, New York, New York 10003, USA. IZic@chpnet.org
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a