Nasir Khokhar.
Long Term Follow up of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients after Sustained Viral Response to Interferon and Ribavirin.
Pak J Gastroenterol Jan ;17(1):24-6.

Fifty seven patients who were treated for chronic hepatitis C with Interferon alfa 2b and Ribavirin for a 6-12 month period were followed for six months after the end of the treatment. All those patients who had sustained viral response at the end of follow up period were followed further with ALT and HCV RNA (PCR) for next 36 months with ALT every three months and HCV RNA every six months or as needed. Of fifty seven patients followed, 5 patients relapsed after initial sustained viral response. The time of relapse after the follow up period varied from 14 months to 36 months. No definite risk factors for relapse could be identified. Patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection who have sustained viral response can relapse at variable period after the usual 6 months follow up time. This emphasizes the need for development of new effective therapies to fully eradicate the virus and more sensitive tests to detect the viral eradication. May be a consideration for an extension of the follow up period beyond usual 6 months is required.

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