title: Pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C in patients with congenital bleeding disorders: a single-centre experience.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis C is a major comorbidity in patients with haemophilia. Although the current state-of-the-art therapy consists of pegylated interferon (PegIFN) and ribavirin, there are no reports of the efficacy of this combination in the haemophilia population. The aim of this study was to assess the response and side-effects of PegIFN and ribavirin in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with PegIFN alpha-2b (1.5 microg kg(-1) week(-1)) and ribavirin (800-1200 mg day(-1)) for 24 (genotype 2 and 3) or 48 weeks (genotype 1) and followed for an additional 24 weeks. In total, 56 patients were enrolled: 31 (55%) had genotype 1, 12 (21%) genotype 2, and 13 (23%) genotype 3. Ten patients (18%) were HIV co-infected and seven (13%) had been previously treated with IFN-alpha with or without ribavirin. The overall response was 55%. In HIV-negative and treatment-naïve patients, the sustained virological response was 70%. Successful treatment was associated with genotypes 2 and 3, absence of HIV, absence of previous IFN treatment, and decrease of hepatitis C virus load at weeks 4 and 12. Although many side-effects occurred, only a minority (11%) discontinued therapy for this reason. Dose reduction of PegIFN was required in 28% and of ribavirin in 35% of patients. Overall, 22% of patients developed a depression requiring antidepressant drugs and one patient developed psychosis. In conclusion, PegIFN and ribavirin is effective in patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Treatment is safe, but severe side-effects may occur and warrant close monitoring during therapy.
authors.affiliation: Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Posthouwer
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Heusden
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Mauser-Bunschoten
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b