title: Acetyl-L-Carnitine Supplementation During HCV Therapy With Pegylated Interferon-α 2b Plus Ribavirin: Effect on Work Performance; A Randomized Clinical Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The health status of employees with chronic hepatitis C has major implications for organizations and labour market.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of Acetyl-L-Carnitine administration on work productivity, daily activity, and fatigue in subjects with chronic hepatitis C treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α2b and Ribavirin.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, randomized, placebo controlled, double blind clinical trial, 30 subjects (Group A) with chronic hepatitis, received Pegylated-Interferon-α2b (1.5 mg/kg per week) plus Ribavirin and placebo, while 32 subjects (Group B) received the same dosage of Pegylated-Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin plus 2g Acetyl-L-Carnitine twice per day, for 12 months. Work productivity loss, impairment in daily activities, presenteeism, absenteeism, have been assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire. We also evaluated severity of fatigue, mental fatigue and physical fatigue.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant difference were observed in physical fatigue, mental fatigue and severity of fatigue, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and viremia after 12 months treatment. In Group B we observed a significant decrease of presenteeism and daily activity impairment after 6 months, 12 months and at follow up. A significant increase of work productivity was observed after 12 months and at follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Office workers with chronic hepatitis C, treated with Pegylated-Interferon-α2b plus Ribavirin, had work performance loss. In subjects treated with Acetyl-L-Carnitine supplementation we observed increased daily activity and reduced presenteeism and fatigue. Acetyl-L-Carnitinegroup had a smaller reduction of productivity comparing to placebo group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pennisi
authors.affiliation: The Great Senescence Research Center, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Caterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gagliano
authors.affiliation: The Great Senescence Research Center, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vacante
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy ; The Great Senescence Research Center, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Salomone
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Section of Pharmacology and Biochemistry, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Drago
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertino
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy ; Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caraci
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nunnari
authors.affiliation: The Great Senescence Research Center, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malaguarnera
keywords: Acetyl Lcarnitine; Fatigue; Hepatitis C; Interferon; Quality of Life; Ribavirin