title: Factors influencing the response of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine factors influencing response of interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive, analytical study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pakistan Medical Research Centre, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from January 1998 to December 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients of chronic hepatitis C treated with conventional interferon were retrospectively analyzed. End treatment response at 6 months for genotype 2 and 3 and one-year for genotype 1 and 4 was assessed. Sustained virological response was checked after 6 months of cessation of therapy. Non-compliant and incomplete follow-up cases were excluded. Factors influencing the response to therapy were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 932 cases received interferon therapy 103 were lost to follow-up and were excluded. Treatment was completed in 829 cases end treatment response was 74% (615 out of 829 cases). Six months post-treatment follow-up was available in 492 cases. Sustained virological response was seen in 63% (308 out of 492 cases). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed significantly better response in patients with <40 years of age, body weight>70 kg, normal platelet count, serum albumin>4.0 grams, non diabetic patients and those with a normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) at 1st month of therapy. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that only age<40 years was significantly important for sustained virological response.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For conventional interferon therapy, age<40 years is the best predictor for sustained virological response, however, better response can be achieved in patients with <70 kg weight, normal platelet count, serum albumin>4.0 grams, non-diabetics and patients having normal ALT at 1st month of therapy.
authors.affiliation: PMRC Research Centre, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi.
authors.forename: Waquar Uddin
authors.initials: WU
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Ambreen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arif
authors.forename: Huma
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qureshi
authors.forename: Syed Ejaz
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.forename: Raheel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ather
authors.forename: Shamoona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fariha
authors.forename: Javeria
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Waquar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins