EFFICACY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINED CONVENTIONAL INTERFERON ALPHA 2a AND RIBAVIRIN THERAPY IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS C
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Abstract
Objective: To determine end treatment and sustained virological response to conventional interferons andribavirin.
Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted from January 2009 to September 2011 at DHQhospital Dir, KPK, Pakistan. Three hundred and forty-seven patients of chronic hepatitis C aged 18 to 60years were given conventional Interferons alpha 2a and Ribavirin for six months under Prime MinisterProgram for control of hepatitis.
Results: Out of three hundred and forty seven patients three hundred and thirty nine patients completed thetherapy. End treatment response was achieved in 229(67.5%) patients and sustained virological responsewas seen in 210(61.94%) patients.
Conclusion: Combination of conventional interferon and ribavirin has a high sustained virologicalresponse with fewer side effects in our study. In resource depleted countries like Pakistan, conventionalinterferon alpha 2a and ribavirin combination therapy can be used as the first line treatment for nonaffording chronic hepatitis C patients.
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