title: Predictors of Severe Thrombocytopenia Secondary to Peginterferon Alfa-2a Treatment in Subjects With Hepatitis C Virus Infection.
abstract: In this study, we aim to identify patient characteristics that predict severe thrombocytopenia induced by peginterferon alfa-2a in hepatitis C virus-infected patients. Demographic, clinical, and genetic data collected from patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (n = 232; age ≥18 years) who received peginterferon alfa-2a following eltrombopag treatment. Predictors of severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count below 50 GI/L) were identified using a 2-step approach: First, univariate analysis, using χ test for categorical variables and t test for continuous variables, was performed to identify possible predictors of severe thrombocytopenia (P < 0.05). Second, a logistic regression with backward stepwise selection was then performed using predictors identified in univariate analysis step to produce final model containing independent predictors at P < 0.05. Logistic model identified several predictors of severe thrombocytopenia. Increased spleen length and increased alkaline phosphatase levels increases the likelihood of severe thrombocytopenia. However, being Central/South Asian, increased neutrophils count and increased platelet baseline count decreases the probability of developing severe thrombocytopenia. In summary, we identified several patient characteristics that predict severe thrombocytopenia induced by peginterferon alfa-2a. Early selection of individuals with high risk of developing interferon-associated severe thrombocytopenia allows early intervention (such as eltrombopag treatment). Early intervention in turn minimizes the odds of developing severe thrombocytopenia and allows the continual of antiviral therapy before patient progress into liver decompensation.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Sameh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alzubiedi
authors.forename: Mohammad I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Saleh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001565:Benzoates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D018579:Patient Selection; D010976:Platelet Count; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013154:Spleen / Q000473:pathology*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001565:Benzoates; D006834:Hydrazines; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011720:Pyrazoles; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a; C520809:eltrombopag