Impact of adherence to peginterferon-ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients on achieving a sustained virologic response.
10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.3.338
- Author:
Soung Won JEONG
1
;
Jin Dong KIM
;
Hyun Young WOO
;
Chan Ran YOU
;
Sung Won LEE
;
Myeong Jun SONG
;
Jung Won JANG
;
Si Hyun BAE
;
Jong Young CHOI
;
Seung Kew YOON
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Soon Chun Hyang University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Hepatitis C;
Peginterferon alpha;
Ribavirin;
Medication adherence;
Virologic response
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use;
Drug Therapy, Combination;
Female;
Genotype;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy;
Humans;
Interferon Alfa-2a/*therapeutic use;
Interferon Alfa-2b/*therapeutic use;
Male;
Middle Aged;
*Patient Compliance;
Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use;
RNA, Viral/analysis;
Ribavirin/*therapeutic use;
Treatment Outcome
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2009;15(3):338-349
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Various predictive factors for peginterferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in chronic hepatitis C have been reported, but the effect of adherence to therapy has not been established. We investigated how adherence affects the sustained virologic response (SVR). METHODS: We analyzed 92 chronic hepatitis C patients receiving peginterferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy. Patients were first identified as having either genotype 1 or genotype non-1 infection and then categorized into three groups according to their adherence to the treatment protocol: (1) patients who received > or =80% of the recommended dosage of both peginterferon alpha and ribavirin for > or =80% of the intended duration of therapy, (2) patients who received <60% of the recommended dosage of both peginterferon alpha and ribavirin for <60% of the intended duration of therapy, and (3) patients who were not included in either group 1 or 2. RESULTS: The rates of early virologic response, end of treatment response, and SVR differed significantly with the degree of adherence to the treatment. The SVRs of genotype 1 patients were 86.7%, 26.7%, and 66.7% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P=0.003), and those of genotype non-1 were 100%, 16.7%, and 88.9%, respectively (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to therapy is a key factor in achieving an SVR. Supportive strategies to improve adherence will increase overall SVR rates.
