title: [Results of treatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current treatment recommendation for chronic hepatitis C virus infection is the combination of peginterferon and ribavirin for 24 or 48 weeks, depending on the viral genotype. The aim of the therapy is to obtain a sustained virological response.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report our experience in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of 52 patients treated between September 2000 and June 2009. Patients with genotype 1 or 5 were treated with peginterferon alpha 2a (180 ug/week) and ribavirin (1000 mg/day for those weighing less than 75 kg and 1200 mg/day for those weighing more than 75 kg) during 48 weeks. Patients with genotypes 2 and 3 were treated for 24 weeks with the same dose of peginterferon and ribavirin 800 mg/day.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Viral genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 5 were present in 81, 4, 11 and 4% of patients, respectively. Twenty four patients (46 %), 18 with genotype 1, achieved a sustained viral response. Age was the only variable that influenced the response to treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately half of the patients with chronic hepatitis C, achieve a sustained viral response with peginterferon and ribavirin.
authors: Sección de Gastroenterología, Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors: Carolina
authors: C
authors: Pizarro
authors: Mauricio
authors: M
authors: Venegas
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Hola
authors: Gladys
authors: G
authors: Smok
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Brahm
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002677:Chile; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a