ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTS ON HEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS AFTER INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN THERAPY AMONG HEPATITIS C PATIENTS IN KARACHI.

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the hematological abnormalities treated with interferon and ribavirin therapy in hepatitis C patients of Pakistan. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Setting Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department of JPMC, Karachi, Pakistan. Period: 2 years. Materials and Methods: All the patients with positive HCV RNA test were enrolled in the study and their HB, WBC`s and platelets level were assessed. Standard treatment (interferon and ribavirin) against HCV were started. Then after 6 months of therapy, their levels of HB, WBC`s and platelets were again evaluated to examine the current status. Results: 88 Cases of HCV were enrolled in the study, of which 52(59%) were females patients and 36 (41%) were male patients. 33(37.5%) patients were those who had age below than 40 years while 55(62.5%) patients were those who had above 40 years age. In these 88 patients 49(55.68%) patients were those who respond toward the therapy and 39(44.31%) patients were those who did not respond toward the therapy. Only 2(2.27%) patients from Non-Responder groups was found with increase WBC’S count, while 17% patient of both groups in case of hemoglobin and 19.3% Patients of both group in case of platelets was found with decreased level after treatment. Conclusion: Interferon plus ribavirin therapy induces anemia due to decreasing hemoglobin level, as well as increases the WBC’S count in case of not responding the therapy and decrease platelet counts have been observed as side effect of therapy.