Durability of a sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with pegylated interferon alfa and ribavirin.
10.3350/kjhep.2011.17.3.183
- Author:
Sang Bun CHOI
1
;
Youn Jae LEE
;
Jae Ik LEE
;
Young Jin SONG
;
Byoung Jin CHOI
;
Jong Han KIM
;
Eun Uk JUNG
;
Sung Jae PARK
;
Sang Heon LEE
;
Ji Hyun KIM
;
Jung Sik CHOI
;
Sam Ryong JEE
;
Sang Yong SEOL
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University Pusan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. yjyh0105@dreamwiz.com
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Durability;
Sustained virological response;
Chronic hepatitis C;
Pegylated interferon;
Ribavirin
- MeSH:
Adult;
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use;
Drug Therapy, Combination;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Genotype;
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy;
Humans;
Interferon-alpha/*therapeutic use;
Liver Function Tests;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use;
RNA, Viral/analysis;
Recombinant Proteins/therapeutic use;
Ribavirin/*therapeutic use
- From:The Korean Journal of Hepatology
2011;17(3):183-188
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The reappearance rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA after a sustained virological response (SVR) have been reported to be 1-2%. We investigated the reappearance rate of HCV RNA after SVR in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin. METHODS: In total, 292 CHC patients who achieved an SVR after PEG-IFN and ribavirin treatment were included. They were treated with subcutaneous injections of either PEG-IFN-alpha 2a or 2b plus ribavirin orally. Liver function tests and qualitative HCV RNA assays were performed every 6 months during the follow-up period after an SVR. RESULTS: Among the 292 patients, 224 (genotype 1, 92; genotype non-1, 132) were followed up for more than 6 months after SVR. These 224 patients were aged 48.1+/-11.5 years (mean+/-SD), and 129 of them were male. The median follow-up duration was 18 months (range 6-60 months). The reappearance rate of HCV RNA during follow-up was 0%. Two patients who achieved an SVR developed hepatocellular carcinoma during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: An SVR was maintained in all CHC patients treated with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin during a median follow-up of 18 months. However, a screening test for hepatocellular carcinoma is needed for patients with an SVR.
