title: Supervised conventional interferon α2a in combination with ribavirin therapy is the preferred alternative for treatment of chronic hepatitis C.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the significant sustained virological response with supervised conventional interferon α and ribavirin therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, this study was planned.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty chronic hepatitis C naive patients were included in this study. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time, ALT, AST, and qualitative HCV RNA were done. Conventional interferon (INF) α2a, 3MIU, S.C and ribavirin 1000 mg PO was given as supervised therapy for 24 weeks in genotype 3 and 48 weeks in genotype 1 and 4 HCV patients. Qualitative HCV RNA was repeated at 12 weeks, 24 weeks for HCV infections with genotype 1, 2, 3 and 4, at 48 weeks for genotype 1 and 4, and thereafter 6 months after completion of treatment. End virological and sustained virological responses were observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 60 patients, 55 completed the study. Five patients were lost to follow-up. Overall SVR was seen in 47 patients (85.4%) and 4 patients had relapses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant sustained virological response rates were seen in patients with supervised conventional INF α2a and ribavirin therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Shrimati Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Harmeet Singh
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Rehan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Shrimati Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manak
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Shrimati Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Madhur
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yadav
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012254:Ribavirin
keywords: Conventional interferon; hepatitis C; ribavirin; supervised