Umar Javed, Muhammad Amjad, Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Khurram, Naveed Younas Khan, Mian M Arshad, Abdul Naeem, Zubair Hassan, Hamamatul Bushra Khar.
Chronic Hepatitis C: symptoms and their response to combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin.
Pak J Gastroenterol Nov ;20(1):49-54.

This cross sectional, observational study was done to note symptoms in patients with chronic hepatitis C and effects of combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin on these symptoms. Two hundred chronic hepatitis C patients with qualitative polymerase chain reaction [PCR] for HCV positive and no evidence of coarse parenchyma / splenomegaly / increased portal vein diameter on ultrasound) were included. All patients were asked about their completion of standard course of interferon and ribavirin for 24 weeks. Symptoms emerging after start of therapy, which lasted < 4 weeks, or improved in < 4 weeks were not included. AL T and qualitative PCR were sought at end of treatment. 63 % (n=126) patients were male, and 37% (n=74) female. Mean patient age was 40.68+9.72 years. Fatigue (53.5%, n=107) was commonest pre-treatment symp m. Others included dyspepsia, tiredness, aches, anorexia, and f r/concerns about disease, and feverish feeling. All patients completed course of treatment. End of treatment PCR was negative in 81% (n=162) patients. Mean pre, and post-treatment ALT levels were 70.30±25.93, and 42.13+17.47 respectively (p-value 0.000). Feverish feeling (57.5%) was most frequent end-treatment symptom. Frequency of all other symptoms decreased at end of treatment. No new symptom was noted. Fatigue, anorexia, and fear/concern about illness were significantly associated with end of treatment viral response (0.049, 0.01, and 0.03 respectively). It is concluded that fatigue and feverish feeling are most frequent pre and post combination therapy symptoms in chronic hepatitis C patients. Fatigue, anorexia and fear concern aout illness are significantly associated with end-treatment viral response.

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