Shoaib Shafi, Adnan Zafar, Salman Waqar.
Effect of combination therapy on Leucocyte levels in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients.
J Rawal Med Coll Jan ;7(1):21-3.

Background: To evaluate and assess the results of Combination Therapy (Interferon and Ribavirin) on leucocyte count and the ALT levels of HCV patients. Methods: The study was conducted at a consultant clinic in Rawalpindi. The study sample consisted of 46 patients. Drug therapy, its effects on WBC count and levels of ALT were monitored on a monthly basis. Data was collected over a period of 6 months. Results: Mean age of the patients was 37 years. Thirty two (70%) of the patients were males while 14 (30%) were females. Of the total 46 patients only 16 (34.8%) patients showed an initial reduction in their leucocyte count. After treatment WBC counts of 5 (10.9%) patients fell to 35004500 cells per mm3. Another 11 (23.9%) patients showed counts below 3500 cells per mm3. However, of the total 16 patients 3 (6.5%) patients finally showed improvement in their WBC count after 5 months of treatment. 5 (10.9%) out of the total 46 patients persistently showed raised ALT levels despite treatment. Conclusion: Combination therapy does not cause marked leucopenia in HCV patients and can be successfully used in HCV patients with careful and close monitoring.

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