Treatment Response of Hepatitis C patients to combination therapy of Interferon Plus ribavirin

Abstract

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of 24 weeks combination treatment with interferon Ribavirin as initial therapy of chronic hepatitis C patients. This study was conducted in Medical unit DHQ Hospital Daggar district Buner from January 1999 to June 2002. three hundered adn fifty consecutive non cirrhotic, chronic hepatitis C patients with positive HCV anti bodies by 3rd general ELISA, positive HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)and raised serum amino transferase (ALT) were prospectively evaluated and treated with combination of interferon alfa 2-b three million units subcutaneously three injection weekly and ribavirin 800 - 1200mg orally daily for 24 weeks and followed for another 6 months. The HCV RNA was checked after 12 weeks and then at the end of the treatment. The ALT level was checked after 04 weeks, then at 12 weeks and at the end of the treatment. End of the treatment viral response, sustained viral response and side effect of therapy were noted. 1) combination treatment of interferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks is effective in terms of biochemical and virological response 2) the side effects are quite tolerable and manageable.