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Comparison of low‐dose pegylated interferon versus standard high‐dose pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C with genotype 3: An Indian experience
Author(s) -
Sood Ajit,
Midha Vandana,
Hissar Syed,
Kumar Manoj,
Suneetha Pothakamuri V,
Bansal Manu,
Sood Nina,
Sakhuja Puja,
Sarin Shiv K
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2007.05057.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , medicine , pegylated interferon , gastroenterology , adverse effect , alpha interferon , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , alanine transaminase , interferon , immunology , virus
Background and Aims: In chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with genotype 3, therapy with pegylated interferon (peg‐IFN) alfa‐2b in a dose of 1.5 μg/kg/week and ribavirin (800–1000 mg/day) is recommended for 24 weeks. Reduced doses of peg‐IFN may increase compliance and decrease cost and adverse events. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of two different regimens of peg‐IFN alfa‐2b, in combination with ribavirin, in genotype 3 patients. Methods: A total of 103 liver biopsy–proven chronic HCV patients with genotype 3, having alanine aminotransferase levels >1.2 × ULN and positive HCV‐RNA were randomized into two groups: group I ( n = 76; age, 43.1 ± 11.4 years; male/female, 67/9) received peg‐IFN 1.0 μg/kg/week + ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day, while group II ( n = 27; age, 37.3 ± 11.6 years; male/female, 21/6) received peg‐IFN 1.5 μg/kg/week + ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day. Patients in both groups were treated for 24 weeks. End of treatment viral response (ETVR) and sustained viral response (SVR) after a 6‐month follow‐up period were assessed. Results: In both groups I and II, one patient was lost to follow‐up, while one patient in group II withdrew due to side‐effects. ETVR was seen in 72/76 (94.7%) of patients in the low dose group and 24/27 (88.9%) of patients in the high dose group ( P = 0.375). SVR was seen in 60/76 (78.9%) of patients in the low dose group and 25/27 (92.6%) of patients in the high dose group ( P = 0.145). Age (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.263; P = 0.008) and fibrosis (correlation coefficient, 0.263; P = 0.008) showed a significant correlation with the SVR. Conclusion: In patients with genotype 3, peg‐IFN at 1.0 μg/kg/week with ribavirin is as effective as peg‐IFN at 1.5 μg/kg/week with ribavirin.