Objective:
We aimed to evaluate 50 adult non-cirrhotic patients with genotype 1b chronic hepatitis C (CHC) whose followed in our clinic between 2003-2010.
Materials and Methods:
Data of the patients were evaluated retrospectively. HBV or HIV co-infections, otoimmune hepatitis, sirotic patients and pregnants were excluded from the study.
Results:
Of the patients 54% were male, mean age was 44.6±11.2 (19-65), mean ALT was 57±38.7 IU/L (8-239) and mean HCV RNA was 8x105±2.6x106 IU/ml (579-1.6x107). Among them 94% were naive and 6% were relapsers. Mean HAI was 6.2±3.1 and mean fibrosis score was 1.8±1.4. Three patients were given standard interferon-α and 47 were given pegylated interferon-α in combination with ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day). Dose adjustment was done in 42% of the patients due to side effects. Duration of therapy was shorter than 48 weeks in eight patients due to severe psychiatric side effects, excessive weight loss and weakness. Rapid virological response (RVR) was achieved in 64%, early virological response (EVR) in 84% and sustained virological response (SVR) in 68% patients. Among the patients 12% were non-responders and 23% of the responders were relapsed after the therapy. In univariate analysis, younger age, RVR, EVR, dose reduction and short duration of the treatment were predictors of SVR (p<0.05). RVR was the only independent predictor of SVR in multivariate analysis. SVR was developed in 96.3% of the patients with RVR.
Conclusion:
As a result, higher SVR rates can be obtained in non-cirrhotic patients whose have low fibrosis score and high treatment compliance.
Keywords: Hepatitis C, sustained virological response, interferon, ribavirin