Aziz Ahmad.
Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C infection in Swat district based upon the National Guidelines.
Med Channel Jan ;12(3):40-2.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of combination Interferon and Ribavirin therapy with frequency of side effects in the treatment of chronic Hepatitis C Naive patients in Swat District according to the guidelines laid down by Pakistan Society of Hepatology. DESIGN AND SETTJNGS: This is an uncontrolled, open, perspective and observational study, carried out in the Medical Unit of Saidu Teaching hospital, Saidu Sharif Swat , from January 2003 to February 2006, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 117 consecutive patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled for the study at the central registry. They were given treatment as per protocol for 24 weeks. Patients were reviewed and investigated six months after stopping treatment. RESULTS: Total of 104 patients completed the study. Treatment had to be discontinued in five cases (4.67%) due to sever adverse drug reactions. Serum ALT normalized in 65 patients after 12 weeks, in 26 cases during 16th- to 24" week, and remained high in 13 cases ( Biochemical response of 87.50%). Negative HCV by PCR was observed in 93 cases( 89.42) towards the end of treatment:(Virological response and ETR of 89.42%) Six months after stopping treatment, the PCR test remained negative in 47 (71.21 %) cases out of the 66 cases tested.( SVR=71.21%) CONCLUSIONS: Based upon the current National guidelines the combination of Interferon and Ribavrin therapy produced ETR of 89.42% and SVR of 71.21% in patients of Swat district and adjoining areas. The side effects of this specific therapy were common but tolerable and manageable.

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