[Long-term viral response to interferon alpha 2b plus ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients during standard therapy].
The aim of study was to evaluate the long-term effect of combination treatment with interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C during standard therapy.


METHODS
210 chronic HCV infected patients (M 134, F 76, mean age 43 +/- 12,3) were treated with interferon alpha 2b TIW and ribavirin (1,0--1,2 g/d) for 48 weeks. None of the patients was infected with HBV or HIV.


METHODS
HCV infection was confirmed with presence of HCV-RNA in blood serum. HCV-RNA was evaluated before, after 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. SVR was checked 24 weeks after discontinuation of therapy. LTR durability of HCV-RNA negativity was observed with a follow-up > 12 months after cessation of treatment


RESULTS
EVR, ETR and SVR were observed respectively in 56,2%, 40,5% and 37% of patients. Median follow-up was 21,9 months (range 6--63 months after SVR). Recurrence of HCV infection was not observed in any case of SVR patients, who completed follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
EVR and SVR was observed in 56,2% and 37%. EVR, ETR and SVR were higher in treated woman than in men. LTR was achieved in all patients with SVR who were checked in prolonged time.
Adamek
Agnieszka
A
Katedra i Klinika Chorób Zakaźnych Uniwersytetu Medycznego im. Karola Marcinkowskiego w Poznaniu. ab.adamek@wp.pl
Adamek
Jacek
J
Juszczyk
Jacek
J
Bereszyńska
Iwona
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood* / Q000187:drug effects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a