Treatment results and factors affecting sustained virological response in chronic hepatitis C patients in Northern India

JOURNAL TITLE: Journal of Gastrointestinal Infections

Author
1. Omesh Goyal
2. Rajoo Singh Chhina
3. Deepinder Kaur
4. Prerna Goyal
ISSN
2277-5862
DOI
10.5005/jp-jogi-5-1-24
Volume
5
Issue
1
Publishing Year
2015
Pages
7
Author Affiliations
    1. Department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana.
    1. Department of Gastroenterology, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
    1. Department of Medicine, Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, Punjab
  • Article keywords
    Chronic hepatitis C, pegylated interferon, ribavirin

    Abstract

    Background and Objectives: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Data on the treatment outcomes of CHC with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PEG-RBV) in Indian patients are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and factors associated with sustained virological response (SVR) in CHC patients treated with PEG-RBV in northern India. Materials and Methods: Consecutive treatment naïve patients with CHC infection treated with PEG-RBV combination therapy between January 2011 and December 2014 were included. Patients with cirrhosis and other contraindications were excluded. Results: Of the total 108 patients enrolled, 102 (94.4%) patients completed the treatment (mean age- 43 ±12.7 years; 62% males). The mean BMI was 23.9 ± 4.2 and mean ALT was 85.7 ± 68 IU/L. HCV viral load >4,00,000 IU/ml was present in 45.4%. The most common genotype was 3 (69.4%; n=75), followed by genotype 1 (26.8%; n=29) and genotype 4 (3.7%; n=4). By intention-to-treat analysis, the overall SVR rate was 94.4% (102/108). In genotype 1 patients it was 86.2% (25/29) and 98.7% (74/75) (p=02) in genotype 3 patients. On multivariate analysis, non-genotype 3 infection predicted lower SVR. Interpretation and Conclusions: SVR rates in CHC patients treated in northern India with PEG-RBV therapy in our study (86.2% for genotype 1 and 98.7% in genotype 3) were better than those reported in western and other Indian studies. Better patient compliance, better monitoring and better management of adverse events lead to superior treatment outcomes.

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