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Sustained virological response of patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 depends on pegylated interferon compliance
Author(s) -
Watanabe Takao,
Konishi Ichiro,
Shigematsu Shuichiro,
Uesugi Kazuhiro,
Joko Kouji,
Seike Hirotaka,
Okada Shinichi,
Miyaoka Hiroaki,
Nakanishi Seiji,
Abe Masanori,
Matsuura Bunzo,
Michitaka Kojiro,
Horiike Norio,
Hiasa Yoichi,
Onji Morikazu
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/j.1872-034x.2011.00816.x
Subject(s) - ribavirin , pegylated interferon , medicine , hepatitis c virus , gastroenterology , genotype , combination therapy , viral load , peg ratio , hepatitis c , immunology , virology , virus , biology , biochemistry , finance , economics , gene
Aim: Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 are more sensitive to interferon (IFN) therapy than those infected with genotype 1, but 10–20% of patients do not achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) to combination therapy with pegylated (PEG) IFN and ribavirin (RBV). This study examines the prognostic factors associated with SVR in patients infected with HCV genotype 2 treated with PEG IFN and RBV. Methods: We treated 149 patients with chronic hepatitis C caused by HCV genotype 2. The patients received s.c. PEG IFN‐α‐2b (1.5 µg/kg) and a weekly weight‐adjusted dose of RBV (600, 800 and 1000 mg per <60, 60–80 and >80 kg, respectively) for 24 weeks and then prognostic factors associated with the SVR were examined. Results: Among the 149 patients, 138 completed the combination therapy and a sustained viral response was achieved in 71.8% of them. Univariate analysis showed that age, as well as mean RBV and PEG IFN doses were factors affecting the SVR ( P = 0.012, =0.021, =0.014). Multivariate analysis identified age and mean PEG IFN dose ( P = 0.021, =0.018, respectively) as factors involved in the SVR, but not mean RBV dose. Conclusion: The SVR of patients infected with HCV genotype 2 depended on the dosage of PEG IFN, but not of RBV. Selecting sufficient doses of PEG IFN for combination with RBV is critical for treating such patients.