Association between baseline parameters and end of treatment response to combination of conventional interferon & ribavirin in patients with chronic Hepatitis C

Abstract

Objective: To study the association between baseline parameters and endof treatment response (ETR) to conventional interferon treatment in patientswith chronic hepatitis C.Methodology: This retrospective analytical study was conducted in Gastroenterologydepartment of Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from January 2012to June 2012. A total of 222 patients with chronic hepatitis C, on combinationof conventional interferon and ribavirin therapy were included in the studywho reported with ETR. Various baseline parameters included sex (male vs.female), age (< 40years vs. >40years), weight (<70kg vs. >70kg), viral load (<800000IU/ml vs. >800000IU/ml) and ALT quotient (<3 vs. >3). These variableswere compared with ETR to see for any significant association.Results: Two hundred and twenty two patients were included in the study outof which 94(42.3%) were male and 128(57.7%) were females. 121(54.5%) ofthe patient achieved ETR while 101(45.5%) failed to achieve ETR. Among variousvariables tested weight <70kg (59% vs. 43%) and ALT Quotient >3(70% vs.50%) were significantly associated with ETR with a p value of 0.01 and p valueof 0.013 respectively while there was no statistically significant associationbetween other parameters and ETR.Conclusion: High baseline ALT and baseline low body weight are significantlyassociated with better ETR. Among these weight is a modifiable factor andobese patients should be advised to lose weight before embarking them onanti viral therapy in order to improve their chances of viral clearance.