Nayyer-ul Islam, Kehkashan Muft I, Kehkashan Qamar, Umair-ul Islam, Ambreen Wasim, Ali Raza, Mohammad Yousuf-ul Islam, Tauqir-ul Islam.
Study of biochemical & hematological factors in Chronic Hepatitis ‘C’-infected patients treated with standard interferon and ribavirin therapy.
Pak J Surg Jan ;30(1):78-84.

Objective: To study the frequency of End treatment response and changes occurring in hematological and biochemical factors during treatment (with standard interferon & Ribavirin) among the responder and non-responder patients of Hepatitis C. Materiel and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Sindh Government Hospital Korangi-5 on 148 patients (aged between 15-60 years) from 22- 06-2011 to 26-01-2012. Complete Blood Count (CBC), PT, ALT were done before the start of the therapy in eligible patients who received thrice weekly subcutaneous injections of 3 MIU of standard interferon alpha-2b for 24 weeks along with capsule Ribavirin daily according to the weight of the patient . Th e patients were assessed on monthly bases with laboratory tests and simultaneously drugs were given. Data was analyzed on SPSS 20. Results: Patients with ALT quotient > 2.3 were more likely to be bett er responders as compared to patients having ALT quotient < 2.3 (Crude Odds ratio = 4.2, 95% Confi dence interval: 1.1-15.8). It was also discovered that during the course of the treatment both ALT and TLC levels declined signifi cantly among both the responder and non-responder group of patients. However hemoglobin levels only declined signifi cantly in the responder group of patients with the major decrease occurring during the fi rst three months of treatment (p< 0.0001). Age, gender and baseline serum calcium, hemoglobin, platelet count and white blood cell count do not determine the response to Hepatitis C treatment Conclusion: Greater than 90% response was achieved among HCV patients with standard IFN & RBV which strengthens the idea that peg-interferon can be reserved for non-responders only. Furthermore, early viral responses at 4 & 12 weeks need not be evaluated as patients can be treated up to 24 weeks. ETR rates were higher in patients who had high pre-treatment ALT levels.

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