Syed Ifthikhar Ali Shah, Naveed Sharif, Muhammad Subhan, Faridullah Shah.
Response to Interferon Therapy in HCV patients in Private Clinic.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;7(4):1101-5.

Aim: To determine response of HCV patients to conventional interferon therapy and also identify genotype in non-responders. Methods: A prospective study of patients presenting with hepatitis C infection from Jan 2008 to Dec 2012 was performed. 716 patients were enrolled, 513 patients completed the study. They were treated with a combination of interferon alpha 2b (3 MU subcutaneously three injections weekly) and ribavirin (800–1200 mg orally daily in divided doses). Treatment was administered for 24 weeks, end of the treatment response (ETR) were recorded and pts were followed for additional 6-24 months thereafter. Results: Out of 513 patients who completed study, 78% patients were between 21 to 50 years of age. Commonest clinical feature were anemia 38.6%, generalized body aches 31.7%, and leg pains 23%. ALT was minimally high (31% of patients). 67% responded to treatment. Most common genotype found was 3a (53.6%) and 3b (12.3%) along with untypeable 21% in non-responders and relapses. Conclusion: The response rate to conventional interferon therapy was 67%. Majority of patients who relapsed were having genotype 3a or untypeable genotypes suggesting the probability of genetic mutations.

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