Saleem Qureshi, Uzma Batool, Mussarat Iqbal, Umar Farooq Burki, Naqeeb Ullah Khan.
Pre-treatment predictors of response for assessing outcomes to standard treatment in infection with HCV genotype 3.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;21(2):64-8.

Objective: To determine the role of pre-treatment predictors of response in assessing outcomes to standard treatment in HCV genotype 3. Study Design: Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, KRL General Hospital, Islamabad, from December 2004 to December 2006. Methodology: All patients with positive anti-HCV and PCR genotype 3a were recruited and written and informed consent was taken. Patients were treated with standard Interferon plus Ribavirin therapy (IFN alpha-2a, 3MU t.i.w 24 weeks plus Ribavirin 1000-1200 mg/day) for 6 months. The effect of pre-treatment factors influencing outcome i.e. age, gender, weight, baseline ALT, necroinflammatory grade, fibrosis and steatosis on the final outcome were further analyzed by univariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Response rates to standard Interferon plus Ribazole therapy were studied in 190 patients. The end-of-treatment complete response (EOTCR) was seen in 81% (n=155) of the patients, whereas 17% (n=33) were non-responders (NR). Sustained viral response (SVR) was seen in 58% (n=112) patients and 24% (n=45) were relapsers. SVR was higher in patients without steatosis (OR = 2.52, 95% CI = 1.356- 4.71 , p = 0.04). Higher SVR was seen in patients weighing less than 65 kg, as compared with weight > 65 kg (OR= 2.277, 95% CI = 1.246- 4.161, p = 0.007). The other variables were not found to be significantly associated with improved SVRs. Conclusion: Out of the studied predictors, body weight and presence of steatosis, were statistically related to treatment outcome. Pre-treatment host factors can predict response to treatment that can help in individualizing treatment and patient selection and optimize treatment outcomes.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com