Evaluating the response of interferon treatment on chronic hepatitis C diagnosed patients

Introduction and aim: According to the prior Health Administration Announcement (HAA), pegile-interferon (PEG-IFN) and ribavirine (RIB) treatment have been advised for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). The present study aimed to evaluate the response to interferon treatment, factors affecting permanent response and recurrence in patients whose therapy and follow-up are performed in our department. Subject and Method: This retrospective study included 305 patients with CHC referred to our Gastroenterology clinics between April-2008 and February-2012. CHC was diagnosed by using serology and molecular examinations. The patients were underwent either pegile-interferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFN α-2a) + RIB treatment or pegile-interferon alfa-2b (PEG-IFN α-2b) + RIB treatment for 48 weeks. Results: PEG-IFN α-2a + RIB treatment was applied to the 138 (45.2 %) of the subjects, while 167 (54.8 %) of them underwent PEG-IFN α-2b + RIB treatment. At the 12nd week of the treatment process, HCV RNA clearance was determined in 151 (49.5 %) of 305 patients as terminal treatment virologic response (TTVR). TTVR was observed in 70 (50.7 %) of the subjects treated with PEG-IFN α-2a + RIB and in 81 (48.5 %) of the ones treated with PEG-IFN α-2b + RIB. There was no statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). At the 18th week, permanent virologic response (PVR) was observed in 138 (45.2 %) of all subjects. PVR was observed in 63 (45.7 %) of the subjects treated with PEG-IFN α-2a + RIB and in 75 (45.9 %) of the ones treated with PEG-IFN α-2b + RIB. There was no statistical difference between the groups (p > 0.05). PVR rates related to the genotype subgroups of the medication regimens were also stated. In genotype 1b group, PVR was detected in 58 (46.8 %) of the 124 PEG-IFN α-2a + RIB patients. Among 160 PEG-IFN α-2 + RIB subjects with genotype 1b, 71 (44.4 %) revealed PVR. Due to adverse affects, 13 (4.26 %) subjects were dismissed. After treatment, recurrence occurred in 35 (11.6 %) of the patients. Conclusion: Long-term prognosis of Chronic Hepatitis C infection is positively affected resulting from treatment protocol. PEG-IFN α-2a + RIB and PEG-IFN α-2b + RIB protocols have not yet elevated HCV RNA clearance to the desired level. Thus, new treatment regimens are required