scholarly journals Influence of pegylated interferon and ribavirin on insulin resistance and metabolic factors in chronic hepatitis C

2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-176
Author(s):  
Zeynep Altın ◽  
Gülden Diniz ◽  
Ayfer Çolak ◽  
Betül Koyuncu ◽  
Serhat Özer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In this study it was aimed to evaluate the effect of pegylated interferon alfa-2a/2b and ribavirin, which are used for treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), on insulin resistance and metabolic factors. Materials and methods A total of 104 CHC patients aged 20–75 years with available serum insulin data at 0 and 48 weeks, and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA data at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 weeks were included in the study. All clinical para-meters were assessed according to the therapy response. Results Among 104 patients, sustained virologic response (SVR) was achieved in 55 cases. A statistically significant difference was noted between SVR and non-SVR groups regarding γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), insulin level plus homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score and insulin resistance at week 48, log HCV-RNA and stage of fibrosis. Conclusion Insulin resistance is accepted to have a negative effect on SVR. Insulin resistance may improve once SVR is achieved. Presence of IR at week 48 has been found associated with SVR. In this context, it can be advocated that insulin resistance at week 48 may be a predictive factor for prediction of SVR at week 72.

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 771-774
Author(s):  
Robert Roomer ◽  
Anneke J van Vuuren ◽  
Martin Schutten ◽  
Angela Heijens ◽  
Harry LA Janssen ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 947-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. TSOCHATZIS ◽  
S. MANOLAKOPOULOS ◽  
G. V. PAPATHEODORIDIS ◽  
E. HADZIYANNIS ◽  
C. TRIANTOS ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 448-455
Author(s):  
Milena Bozic ◽  
Ksenija Bojovic ◽  
Milotka Fabri ◽  
Darko Nozic ◽  
Bojan Trkulja ◽  
...  

Introduction. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. Pegylated interferon alfa-2a or 2b (PEG IFN alfa-2a or 2b) and ribavirin (RBV) represent a standard treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Sustained virological response (SVR), defined as continued undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after completion of treatment, is universally considered as an indicator of treatment efficacy. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine efficacy and safety of PEG IFN alfa-2a and RBV treatment in patients with CHC in Serbia. Methods. One hundred seventy-six patients with CHC were included in this multicenter trial from 8 reference centers in Serbia. The patients were treated with standard PEG IFN alfa- 2a and RBV protocol. We performed the following virological testing: anti-HCV (ELISA), HCV RNK (quantitative PCR), HCV genotype (type-specific PCR), HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HIV (ELISA). Histological activity and the degree of fibrosis were determined according to the Metavir scoring system. Potential predictors for achieving SVR were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results. Of the treated patients with CHC 65.9% were male, and 60.2% of them aged over 40 years. Of the treated patients 68.2% had infection over 5 years, 63% had HCV RNA >400.000 IU/mL, 76.1% had HCV G1/4, and 60.1% had a mild to moderate liver fibrosis. SVR was achieved in 78.9% of patients (G1/4 79.1%; G2/3 78.1%). The factors that indicated a poorer efficacy of the treatment were age >40 (p<0.05), high basal viremia (p=0.013), and the reduction of PEG IFN alfa-2a and RBV doses, with interruption of therapy (p<0.001). Of the treated patients 45.9% had adverse affects (G1/4 50.8%; G2/3 29.7%). Conclusion. Treatment of CHC with PEG IFN alfa-2a and RBV was efficient in 78.9% of patients. The safety profile of therapy was satisfactory. Longer therapy increases the possibility of the development of adverse affects. No life-threatening adverse effects were recorded in our patients.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3219-3219
Author(s):  
Maria E. Mancuso ◽  
Elena Santagostino ◽  
Maria G. Rumi ◽  
Silvia Linari ◽  
Antonio Coppola ◽  
...  

Abstract Pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) plus ribavirin is the standard treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C. In a multicenter open trial, we assessed the efficacy and tolerability of this treatment in 78 HIV negative hemophiliacs (age: 20–64 years) with persistently high transaminase values. Sixty-four were naïve and 14 were relapsers to IFN monotherapy. Cirrhosis was clinically detected in 12 patients (15%). HCV genotype was 1 in 69%, 2a/c in 14%, 3a in 14% and 4 in 3%. Peg-IFN alpha-2b was given subcutaneously at doses of 1.5 mcg/Kg/week for 48 weeks in genotypes 1 and 4 and for 24 weeks in genotypes 2 and 3; oral ribavirin at 800–1200 mg/day based on body weight. Treatment was stopped in patients with polymerase chain reaction positive HCV-RNA at month 6. Results: 11 patients (14%) withdrew for side effects (4) or non-compliance (7). Neutropenia (&lt;500 cells/mmc), decompensated diabetes, ALT flares, and vomiting not responding to antiemetic drugs were reasons for treatment discontinuation. The median fall in hemoglobin levels was 3.1 g/dL. Weight loss (38%), fatigue (33%) and cephalalgia (15%) were frequent side effects. Thirty-two patients (41%) required dose reduction of ribavirin (23, 29%) or Peg-IFN (20, 26%). At the end of the 6-month follow-up, sustained virological response (SVR) was achieved in 43 patients (55%): 40/64 naïve (63%) and 3/14 relapsers (21%, p = 0.007). Five patients (6%), all relapsers to IFN monotherapy, had a virological breakthrough during treatment and 4 (5%) relapsed during the post-treatment follow-up period. SVR was obtained in 86% genotypes 2/3 and 43% genotypes 1/4 (p = 0.001). Predictors of SVR were evaluated by univariate analysis in the 64 naïve patients. SVR was significantly associated with HCV infection type 2 and 3 (86% vs 50% in HCV type 1 and 4; p = 0.008), absence of cirrhosis (97.5% vs 75% in non-responders; p = 0.02) and higher pre-treatment serum ALT levels (111 vs 75 IU/L in non-responders; p = 0.02). SVR rates did not differ in relation to patient’s age, pretreatment HCV viremia, median disease duration and compliance to full-dose treatment. Conclusions: combination therapy with Peg-IFN plus ribavirin is the recommended therapeutic option for hemophiliacs with hepatitis C chronic infection. Relapsers to IFN monotherapy may benefit of re-treatment with Peg-IFN plus ribavirin achieving at least 20% SVR. Genotype 2 and 3 infection is the most significant predictor of SVR.


2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 612-618
Author(s):  
Dragan Delic ◽  
Nikola Mitrovic ◽  
Natasa Popovic ◽  
Aleksandar Urosevic ◽  
Ivana Pesic ◽  
...  

Introduction. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can progress to liver cirrhosis that causes bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, liver failure and primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Use of standard therapeutic option consists of recombinant pegylated interferon alpha 2a/b with ribavirin in order to eradicate virus and prevent complications. Objective. The aim of investigation was to evaluate efficiency of combination therapy (pegylated interferon alpha 2a/b plus ribavirin) in patients with chronic HCV infection and to estimate predictive factors for successful treatment. Methods. A total of 387 patients with confirmed diagnosis of hepatitis C were evaluated (aged 18-65 years of both genders). Patients were treated with pegylated interferon alpha 2a/b and ribavirin according to a standard regimen lasting 24 or 48 weeks, dependent on virus genotype. Results. Negative HCV RNA (PCR assay) was recorded in 79.7% of patients at the end of treatment. Six months after completed therapy, negative HCV RNA, i.e. stained virologic response (SVR) was assessed in 70.5% of patients. Statistical summary of our results concerning SVR confirmed better efficiency of combination therapy for the following parameters compared to other investigated variables: age ?40 (84.3% vs. 59.l%; p<0.0005), absence of cirrhosis (75.6% vs. 58.3%; p=0.003), lack of genotype 1 (86.6% vs. 61.8%; p<0.0005), and in patients who received full doses of pegylated interferon alpha 2a (78.3% vs. 63.3%; p=0.002). Conclusion. Combination therapy of recombinant pegylated interferon alpha 2a with ribavirin leads to SVR in the majority of treated patients (70.5%). Successful treatment depends on a variety of host and virus factors.


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