Simple formula to predict response to peginterferon alpha2b and ribavirin combination therapy in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients with high viral loads.
OBJECTIVE
We advocate a simple formula which can conveniently predict the outcome of Peg-interferon (IFN) alpha2b and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) with high viral load.


METHODS
A total of 338 (group A: 230, Group B: 108) genotype 1 CH-C patients treated with Peg-IFN alfa-2b and RBV were enrolled. Clinical parameters differing significantly between sustained virological responders (SVRs) and non-SVRs in group A were categorized, then a simple formula to predict SVR was constructed and re-evaluated in group B. Another formula containing hepatitis C virus amino acid mutations/substitutions also was constructed.


RESULTS
In group A, gender and HCV RNA load <1000 KIU were significant predictors of SVR by multivariate logistic regression analysis. A simple formula was constructed (formula A): male gender (point 2) + HCV RNA load <1000 KIU (3) + platelet counts ≥15 × 10(4) /mm(3) (1) + age <60 (1). In group A, score (0-1) predicted SVR rate 23.8% (2-4): 48.1% and (5-7): 70.2%. According to this formula, score (0-1) predicted SVR rate 7.1% (2-4): 38.6%, and (5-7): 70.3% in group B. Information on HCV amino acid mutations/substitutions seemed to add some accuracy.


CONCLUSIONS
This simple formula can be used to roughly determine, at the patients' first/second visit, the probability of response to Peg-IFN alpha2b and RBV combination therapy for genotype 1 CH-C with high viral load.
Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Hepatology Center, Saiseikai Suita Hospital Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan.
Yoshito
Y
Itoh
Takeshi
T
Nishimura
Hiroaki
H
Hashimoto
Kanji
K
Yamaguchi
Toshihisa
T
Niimi
Chihiro
C
Yokomizo
Hideki
H
Fujii
Masahito
M
Minami
Kohichiroh
K
Yasui
Hironori
H
Mitsuyoshi
Takeshi
T
Okanoue
Tetsuo
T
Takehara
Yoichi
Y
Hiasa
Morikazu
M
Onji
Toshikazu
T
Yoshikawa