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Low-Dose Pegylated Interferon α-2b Plus Ribavirin for Elderly and/or Cirrhotic Patients with Genotype 2 Hepatitis C Virus
- Source :
- Gut and Liver, Vol 10, Iss 4, Pp 617-623 (2016)
- Publication Year :
- 2016
- Publisher :
- Gastroenterology Council for Gut and Liver, 2016.
-
Abstract
- Background/AimsThis study aimed to predict sustained viral response (SVR) to low-dose pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin of elderly and/or cirrhotic patients with genotype 2 hepatitis C virus (HCV) using viral response within 2 weeks.Methods : Low-dose PEG-IFN-α-2b plus ribavirin was administered to 50 elderly and/or cirrhotic patients with genotype 2 HCV for 24 weeks. The dynamics of HCV RNA and HCV core antigen levels within 2 weeks were measured.Results : The patients’ median age was 66 years. There were 21 male and 29 female patients. The median baseline HCV RNA level was 5.7 log IU/mL. Rapid viral response was achieved in 17 patients (34%), SVR in 28 (56%), and two (4%) discontinued treatment. Univariate analysis of factors contributing to SVR showed significant differences for sex, baseline virus level, and response within 4 weeks. When 40 fmol/L was set as the cutoff value for the core antigen level at 1 week, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy for predicting SVR were 93%, 75%, 84%, 88%, and 85%, respectively.Conclusion : sLow-dose PEG-IFN plus ribavirin was a safe and cost-effective treatment for elderly and/or cirrhotic patients with genotype 2 HCV, and the viral response within 2 weeks was a useful predictor of SVR.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19762283
- Volume :
- 10
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Directory of Open Access Journals
- Journal :
- Gut and Liver
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- edsdoj.9cb61ce604346049449d296027ac65a
- Document Type :
- article
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.5009/gnl15193