Abstract

CARNICER, F.  and  GRUPO DE ESTUDIO DE HEPATITIS DE LA PROVINCIA DE ALICANTE (GEHPA) et al. Treatment with pegylated interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin in patients unresponsive to previous treatments with standard interferon as monotherapy or combined with ribavirin. Rev. esp. enferm. dig. [online]. 2005, vol.97, n.5, pp.306-316. ISSN 1130-0108.

Background: little information is available on the effect of pegylated interferon (PEG) and ribavirin (RBV) in patients with chronic hepatitis due to virus C (CHC) who were non-responders to previous treatment. Objectives: to evaluate response to treatment in patients who were non-responders to previous treatment. Methods: one hundred and twenty-four patients who were non-responders to previous treatment were included. All patients were treated with PEG alpha 2b interferon (dose: 1.5 mg/kg body weight) and RBV (weight-dependent dosage). A qualitative PCR of virus C after six months was evaluated. In those in whom this was positive, treatment was discontinued; in those who were negative treatment was continued to the end of the year. Results: response following treatment (RFT) was 35.4% (44 patients), and sustained viral response (SVR) 29.8% (37 patients). No relation was observed between RFT, SVR and any previous treatment. RFT was dependent on low initial viremia and SVR was significantly and independently related to low serum hepatitis C RNA and a non-1 genotype. In general, treatment was well tolerated. Medication was discontinued in 5 patients, and doses reduced in 18. Conclusion: on retreatment with PEG and RBV a SVR of 29.8% was achieved in patients who had not responded to previous treatment, so its use in this group of patients is indicated.

Keywords : Treatment; Peginterferon; ribavarin; Unresponsive to treatment; Hepatitis C.