Author/Editor     Brinovec, V; Lešničar, G; Meglič-Volkar, J; Matičič, M; Baklan, Z; Poljak, M; Seme, K; Ferlan-Marolt, V; Luzar, B
Title     Treatment of chronic hepatitis C: our experience
Type     članek
Source     Hepatogastroenterology
Vol. and No.     Letnik 51
Publication year     2004
Volume     str. 506-11
Language     eng
Abstract     Background/Aims: While an optimal treatment of chronic hepatitis C has not yet been established, it has been demonstrated that the interferon a/ribavirin combination is more effective than interferon a monotherapy. Methodology: One hundred and forty-three patients with chronic hepatitis C received the following treatment: eighty patients an 18-month monotherapy (3-month follow-up) and sixty-three patients a 12-month combined therapy (6-month follow-up). Therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects were compared Results: In 80 patients in the monotherapy group, complete response was achieved in 49.2%. This was reduced to 27.5% three months after therapy. Significant differences were observed in HCV 3 genotype where complete response was achieved in 12 out of 14 patients (p=0.01). With the combined therapy administered to 63 patients, complete response was achieved in 54.5%. This was reduced to 43.2% after 6 months of follow-up. Among the responders or partial responders, significant differences were observed with regard to age (p=0.0047) and subtype 1b (p=0.012). Comparing the groups of naive patients and relapsers, a statistically significant difference (p=0.027) was found in therapeutic efficacy. Conclusions: In the treatment of chronic hepatitis C, combined therapy proved more effective than monotherapy. This is, however, not yet a satisfactory solution.
Descriptors     HEPATITIS C
HEPATITIS, CHRONIC ACTIVE
INTERFERON-ALPHA
RIBAVIRIN
TREATMENT OUTCOME
ALANINE AMINOTRANSFERASE
LIVER
BIOPSY
VIRAL LOAD
GENOTYPE