title: Tailoring treatment duration to 12 to 16 weeks in hepatitis C genotype 2 or 3 with rapid virologic response: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Current treatment for genotype (GT) 2 or 3 hepatitis C virus infection is pegylated interferon and ribavirin (RBV) 800 mg/d for 24 weeks. This meta-analysis was carried out to assess whether the treatment duration can be reduced in patients with rapid virologic response (RVR) METHODS: Literature was searched for studies comparing short-term (12 to 16 wk) and 24 weeks treatment in GT 2 or 3 with RVR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six studies (n=2434) were included and data on end-of-treatment response (ETR), sustained virologic response (SVR), and relapse rates (RR) were obtained. Pooled odds ratio (95% CI) for SVR and RR were 0.54 (0.35-0.85; P=0.008) and 3.12 (1.99-4.91; P<0.00001) favoring 24 weeks of treatment. Reducing treatment duration to 12 to 16 weeks and retreating relapses for 24 weeks was cost-effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reducing treatment duration to 12 to 16 weeks for GT 2 or 3 HCV patients with RVR is associated with a lower SVR and a higher RR. Advantages of short-term treatment include better patient compliance, lower rate of adverse effects, and cost. Short-term treatment may be an option for patients unable to tolerate treatment. Further studies are needed to identify factors predicting relapse with short-term treatment in GT 2 or 3 patients with RVR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555-0764, USA. aksingal@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Ashwani K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Singal
authors.forename: Bhupinder S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Anand
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016527:Drug Costs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; C417083:peginterferon alfa-2b; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a