UNLABELLED: The aim of study was to evaluate the long-term effect of combination treatment with interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C during standard therapy. MATERIAL: 210 chronic HCV infected patients (M 134, F 76, mean age 43 +/- 12,3) were treated with interferon alpha 2b TIW and ribavirin (1,0--1,2 g/d) for 48 weeks. None of the patients was infected with HBV or HIV. METHODS: HCV infection was confirmed with presence of HCV-RNA in blood serum. HCV-RNA was evaluated before, after 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. SVR was checked 24 weeks after discontinuation of therapy. LTR durability of HCV-RNA negativity was observed with a follow-up > 12 months after cessation of treatment RESULTS: EVR, ETR and SVR were observed respectively in 56,2%, 40,5% and 37% of patients. Median follow-up was 21,9 months (range 6--63 months after SVR). Recurrence of HCV infection was not observed in any case of SVR patients, who completed follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: EVR and SVR was observed in 56,2% and 37%. EVR, ETR and SVR were higher in treated woman than in men. LTR was achieved in all patients with SVR who were checked in prolonged time.
UNLABELLED: The aim of study was to evaluate the long-term effect of combination treatment with interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C during standard therapy. MATERIAL: 210 chronic HCV infectedpatients (M 134, F 76, mean age 43 +/- 12,3) were treated with interferon alpha 2b TIW and ribavirin (1,0--1,2 g/d) for 48 weeks. None of the patients was infected with HBV or HIV. METHODS:HCV infection was confirmed with presence of HCV-RNA in blood serum. HCV-RNA was evaluated before, after 24 and 48 weeks of therapy. SVR was checked 24 weeks after discontinuation of therapy. LTR durability of HCV-RNA negativity was observed with a follow-up > 12 months after cessation of treatment RESULTS: EVR, ETR and SVR were observed respectively in 56,2%, 40,5% and 37% of patients. Median follow-up was 21,9 months (range 6--63 months after SVR). Recurrence of HCV infection was not observed in any case of SVR patients, who completed follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: EVR and SVR was observed in 56,2% and 37%. EVR, ETR and SVR were higher in treated woman than in men. LTR was achieved in all patients with SVR who were checked in prolonged time.