title: Predictors of response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C from Pakistani population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) constitutes a major public health issue around the world, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. In this study, we assessed outcome of interferon (INF) treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients categorized by gender, age, and viral load.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, 750 HCV positive patients with genotype 3 were selected, out of which 616 completed the entire treatment. Their personal history, pre-treatment HCV RNA and serum alanine transaminase (ALT) was quantified. Patients were treated with combination therapy of INF-α 2b three million units (thrice a week) plus ribavirin (1000 - 1200 mg per day) for 24 weeks. After 24 weeks their HCV RNA and serum ALT level was quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of the 616 patients, 391 (63.5%) responded to therapeutic regimen (INF-α 2b plus ribavirin). Among the responders, 27.1% were men and 36.4% were women. Best treatment response was observed in patients having low viral load < 8 × 10(5) IU/ml and age ≤ 40 years than patients having low viral load and age > 40 years (73.2% vs. 60.3%, P = 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better response to IFN-α 2b plus ribavirin was observed in patients with lower viral RNA and younger age. It suggests that all patients considered for treatment should have quantification of serum HCV RNA level. The result can be used to counsel patients on the likelihood of response and may influence the patient's decision on treatment.
authors: Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute Islamabad, Punjab University, Lahore, Pakistan. hafsa.aziz@gmail.com
authors: Hafsa
authors: H
authors: Aziz
authors: Muhammad Amin
authors: MA
authors: Athar
authors: Shahnaz
authors: S
authors: Murtaza
authors: Javaid
authors: J
authors: Irfan
authors: Yasir
authors: Y
authors: Waheed
authors: Iram
authors: I
authors: Bilal
authors: Abida
authors: A
authors: Raza
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin