Document Details

Document Type : Article In Journal 
Document Title :
Effect of pegylated interferon on non-responders and relapsers with interferon
Effect of pegylated interferon on non-responders and relapsers with interferon
 
Subject : Gastroenterology 
Document Language : English 
Abstract : Objectives: To assess whether a combination of pegylated interferon (interferon conjugated with polyethylene glycol) and ribavirin can improve the response rate in patients with chronic hepatitis C who either did not respond to (Non-responders), or had relapsed after responding to (Relapsers) standard interferon and ribavirin combination therapy. Patients and methods: In this prospective study, 20 chronic hepatitis C patients (comprising 16 Non-responders and 4 Relapsers to previous treatment with alpha interferon and ribavirin), were treated with pegylated interferon-2b weekly and ribavirin daily for one year. Eleven patients had genotype 4, eight were of genotype 1 and one patient had genotype 3. Response to treatment was determined based on normalisation of liver enzymes and negative viral load (assessed using qualitative HCV RNA PCR) at end of treatment (ETR) and 6 months off treatment (SVR). Results: Seven patients (35%) achieved normalisation of liver enzymes and negative viral load at the end of treatment. However, only 2 patients (10%) managed to retain these levels after six months off treatment. The latter two patients had been previous Relapsers. Conclusion: Combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin may be beneficial in previous relapsers with standard interferon-ribavirin combination therapy, but is unlikely to achieve sustained virological response in non-responders. 
ISSN : 2075-0051X 
Journal Name : SQU Journal for Scientific Research: Medical Sciences 
Volume : 4 
Issue Number : 1 
Publishing Year : 1422 AH
2002 AD 
Article Type : Article 
Added Date : Monday, May 12, 2008 

Researchers

Researcher Name (Arabic)Researcher Name (English)Researcher TypeDr GradeEmail
هشام أكبرAkbar, Hisham InvestigatorDoctorate 
محمود الاحولAl-Ahwal, Mahmoud ResearcherDoctorate 

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