[Safety of pegylated interferon in patients with hepatitis C virus induced cirrhosis].
OBJECTIVE
The authors described their experience with the therapy with pegylated interferon and its safety in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced liver cirrhosis treated at First Department of Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs and at Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates.


METHODS
Twenty four (12 male, 12 female, average: 55.66 +/- 7. 02 years) anti-HCV and/or HCV-RNA PCR positive cirrhotic patients were examined. Liver cirrhosis was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound and/or histological examination of liver biopsy.


RESULTS
Different genotypes of HCV were detected: genotype 1 in 7 cases, genotype 2 in 1 person, genotype 3 in 3 cases. Genotype 4 was detected in 10 patients, all of them were treated out of Hungary. Thirteen of 24 patients were not treated earlier, 6 persons were non-responders to previous interferon monotherapy, pegylated interferon was administered to 5 patients because of relapse. Biochemical parameters showed improvement in 16 cases (16/24, 66.66%), but did not in 5 patients. Until now, virological response was achieved in 13 patients (13/24, 54.16%), while three patients remained HCV-PCR positive. Temporary dose reduction was needed in 13/24 cases (54.16%). Withdrawal of therapy became necessary in only 2 patients due to severe neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and/or signs of decompensation.


CONCLUSIONS
Pegylated interferon treatment is well tolerated by patients with compensated liver cirrhosis (Child-Pough stage A). Frequent side-effects (half of all cases) were usually mild or moderate requiring discontinuation only in 2 of 24 patients. The incidence of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia emphasizes the need of frequent blood cell count tests and patients follow up.
Gasztonyi
Beáta
B
Pécsi Tudományegyetem, Orvos- es Egészségtudományi Centrum, Altalános Orvostudományi Kar, I. Sz. Belgyógyászati Klinika.
Pár
Gabriella
G
Pár
Alajos
A
Hunyady
Béla
B
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D024882:Drug Resistance, Viral; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014479:United Arab Emirates
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a