[Interferon treatment of HCV-correlated active chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis: personal experience].
OBJECTIVE
IFN therapy is the only method of treating HCV-correlated active chronic hepatitis given that Ribavirin is still undergoing clinical trials.


METHODS
A total of 166 patients received treatment: 73 (aged <50 years) with active chronic hepatitis and 45 (aged <50) with CHILD hepatic cirrhosis; 24 patients were used as a control group. The first group was treated with alpha-IFN and the second with beta-IFN.


RESULTS
The complete response was evaluated at 12 months and the sustained response at 18 months using chi2 according to Yates. Highly significant results (p<0.001) were obtained in the two groups compared to controls, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the various alpha-IFN subgroups. Treatment with alpha-IFN and beta-IFN was effective in reducing indices of cytolysis and viral activities.


CONCLUSIONS
IFN treatment positively alters the hepatic histological evolution: the authors affirm that even in advanced cases of chronic liver disease, treatment with IFN may slow down the natural evolution of the disease.
Presidio Ospedaliero S. Leonardo, Unità Epato-Biliare, ASL NA 5-Castellammare di Stabia, Naples.
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