title: Hepatitis C treatment at three Norwegian hospitals 2000-2011.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the period 2000 – 2011, chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV infection) was primarily treated with a combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. New antiviral drugs, which are effective but very expensive, are in the process of replacing this regimen. We have investigated the results pegylated interferon and ribavirin have yielded in ordinary clinical practice and examined the part this treatment may play in the near future.
  
  
  METHODS
  We included in this retrospective study HCV-RNA-positive, treatment-naive patients at Stavanger University Hospital, Akershus University Hospital and Østfold Hospital who received at least one dose of pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin in the period 2000 – 2011. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR). Predictors for SVR were identified by means of logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 588 included patients, 69.6% (409/588) achieved SVR, 14.3% (84/588) suffered relapse and 16.1% (95/588) showed non-response. In a multivariate analysis, genotypes 2 or 3 and low age at treatment start were independent predictors of SVR. A total of 85.4% of patients aged ≤ 40 years with genotype 2 or 3 had SVR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found good results for treatment of young patients with genotype 2 or 3 with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Low age and viral genotype were predictors of sustained virologic response (SVR).
authors.affiliation: Gastromedisinsk avdeling Stavanger universitetssjukehus.
authors.forename: Kjetil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Isaksen
authors.affiliation: Gastromedisinsk avdeling Oslo universitetssykehus.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aabakken
authors.affiliation: Gastromedisinsk avdeling Stavanger universitetssjukehus.
authors.forename: Tore
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Grimstad
authors.affiliation: Gastromedisinsk avdeling Stavanger universitetssjukehus.
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Karlsen
authors.affiliation: Gastromedisinsk avdeling Sykehuset Østfold.
authors.forename: Per Kristian
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Sandvei
authors.affiliation: Infeksjonsmedisinsk avdeling Akershus universitetssykehus.
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Dalgard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000821:virology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D012254:Ribavirin; C100416:peginterferon alfa-2a