Effectiveness and tolerability of pegylated Interferon a-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in Romanian patients with chronic hepatitis C: from clinical trials to clinical practice

Authors

  • L. Gheorghe Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • M. Grigorescu 3rd Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • S. Iacob Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • D. Damian 3rd Medical Clinic, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
  • C. Gheorghe Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • R. Iacob Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • I. Simionov Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • R. Vadan Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • I. Pârvulescu Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania
  • I. Bancila Hepatology Department, Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania

Keywords:

Chronic hepatitis C, pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy, virological response, side effects

Abstract

Background and aim. Pegylated interferon alpha in combination with ribavirin represents nowadays the gold standard therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to assess early (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR), tolerability and baseline predictive factors for SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon a-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in day-to-day clinical practice.

Methods. The analysis included 174 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C (nadve, relapsers and non-responders after standard therapy) managed in two expertise gastroenterology centers in Romania, mainly on an outpatient basis. The combination therapy was initiated between 1st of June 2002 – 30th of June 2003.

Results. The mean age of the study population was 47 years; 41% were men, mean BMI was 26.5 kg/m2. Only 7.5% of them had bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis on liver biopsy. EVR and SVR were noted in 78.7% and 51.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed two independent variables associated with SVR: absence of bridging fibrosis/cirrhosis and absence of hepatic steatosis. The rate and profile of side effects associated with pegylated interferon a-2a and ribavirin in our clinical setting were all predictable, based on previous experience in the literature. Side effects resulted in interferon and ribavirin dose reductions in 9.2% and, respectively, 25.3%, but permanent discontinuation of the combination therapy was required in only 5.74% of patients.

Conclusion. Combination antiviral therapy can be safely and successfully used outside clinical trials. To achieve high response rates and tolerability, similar or better than those reported in clinical trials, hepatitis C patients have to be managed in expertise centers, by experienced physicians, aiming at minimizing side effects, optimizing dosing, and enhancing compliance.

 

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Published

2005-06-01

How to Cite

1.
Gheorghe L, Grigorescu M, Iacob S, Damian D, Gheorghe C, Iacob R, Simionov I, Vadan R, Pârvulescu I, Bancila I. Effectiveness and tolerability of pegylated Interferon a-2a and ribavirin combination therapy in Romanian patients with chronic hepatitis C: from clinical trials to clinical practice. JGLD [Internet]. 2005 Jun. 1 [cited 2026 Jul. 15];14(2):109-15. Available from: https://www.jgld.ro/jgld/index.php/jgld/article/view/2005.2.1

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2: June 2005

Section

Original Article