聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的随机对照临床研究

目的评价小剂量聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型病毒性肝炎的疗效和安全性.方法192例慢性丙型肝炎患者随机分为两组：聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b 0.5μg/kg每周一次联合利巴韦林750～1050 mg/d,或普通干扰素α-2b 3 MIU每周3次联合利巴韦林750～1050 mg/d.疗程48周,治疗结束后随访24周.结果聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗的持续病毒学应答率为53.8%,而普通干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗的持续病毒学应答率为58.1%,两组持续病毒学应答率相当（P=0.966）.聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b治疗组的药物相关性不良反应发生率为100%,而普通干扰素α-2b治疗组的不良反应发生率为95.2%,两组间差异有统计学意义（P=0.033）.但是没有与干扰素α-2b聚乙二醇化相关的特有的新的不良反应发生.结论小剂量聚乙二醇干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗效和安全性与普通干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗的疗效和安全性相当.     

普通干扰素与聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎疗效观察

目的研究干扰素α-1b或聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的效果、安全性、耐受性及经济-效益比。方法 86例慢性丙型肝炎患者接受干扰素α-1b联合利巴韦林治疗48周;另26例接受聚乙二醇干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗48周。结果在治疗4周和12周时,干扰素α-1b治疗患者病毒学应答率分别为18.6%和61.6%,显著低于聚乙二醇干扰素治疗组的38.5%和84.6%(P﹤0.05);在治疗48周和治疗结束后随访48周时,干扰素α-1b治疗患者病毒学应答率分别为79.1%和76.7%,与聚乙二醇干扰素组的92.3%和84.6%比,无明显差异性(P﹥0.05);干扰素α-1b治疗组成本/效果比为13959.6,显著低于聚乙二醇干扰素组的54241.1;治疗期间两组ALT复常率无明显差异性(P﹥0.05);干扰素α-1b治疗的副作用相对轻于聚乙二醇干扰素。结论在我国目前国情下,干扰素α-1b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎有效、安全。     

不同聚乙二醇化干扰素治疗丙型肝炎病毒感染临床观察

目的评价聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a或α-2b(PEG-IFNα-2a/α-2b)联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎病毒感染的疗效与副作用,以优化慢性丙型肝炎治疗策略、提高临床治愈率。方法 60例慢性丙型肝炎患者随机分为A组和B组各30例,分别给予PEG-IFNα-2a加利巴韦林(A组)和PEG-IFNα-2b加利巴韦林(B组)治疗48周,检测基线及治疗4周、l2周、48周及治疗结束后24周时的血清HCV-RNA水平,比较两组快速病毒学应答(RVR)率、早期病毒学应答(EVR)率、治疗终点病毒学应答(ETVR)率、持续病毒学应答(SVR)以及复发率与不良反应。结果 A组和B组RVR、EVR、ETVR、SVR、复发率分别为46.7%、63.3%、86.7%、80.0%、6.7%和40.0%、56.7%、80.0%、76.7%、3.3%,组间比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05),两组的安全性情况相似,未见严重的不良事件,总体耐受性好。结论两种现有的聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2a或α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗丙型肝炎病毒感染的持续病毒学应答率和耐受性没有显著差异。     

疏肝理脾片对干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎疗效的影响

目的:评价疏肝理脾片对干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎疗效的影响.方法:43例慢性丙型肝炎患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,治疗组25例,治以疏肝理脾片,8片/次,口服,3次/d;重组人IFNα-2b(赛诺金),5MU,肌注,隔日1次;利巴韦林800～1200mg/d,口服,联合治疗48周.对照组18例,予重组人IFNα-1b(赛诺金),5MU,肌注,隔日1次;利巴韦林800～1200mg/d,口服,治疗48周.动态观察、比较治疗组与对照组的临床疗效及副作用.结果:治疗组与对照组比较,血清ALT及肝纤维化指标恢复水平均优于对照组(P＜0.05),不良反应发生率低于对照组(P＜0.05),患者耐受性更好.结论:疏肝理脾片在护肝降酶、减轻不良反应、抗肝纤维化方面对干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者具有良好的影响.     

干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗由一名献血员所致慢性丙型肝炎62例分析

目的 应用干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗由一名献血员所致62例慢性丙型肝炎(CHC)患者,评估其疗效.方法 62例输血后CHC患者给予干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗(标准干扰素3～5MU,隔日一次注射,口服利巴韦林0.6～ 1.0g/d),疗程48周,随访96周.以持续病毒应答(SVR)率、早期病毒学应答(EVR)率、治疗结束时病毒学应答(ETVR)率、停药后生物化学应笞率为考核指标,同时观察药物不良反应.计量资料用均数±标准差(x-±s)表示,计数资料用x2检验.结果 SVR率为83.9％ (52/62),EVR率为95.2％ (59/62),ETVR率为87.1％ (54/62),停药后生物化学应答率为100.0％.不同病毒载量(x 2=10.13,P＜0.05)和不同年龄(x 2=14.58,P＜0.01)患者SVR率差异明显.干扰素所致8例甲状腺功能轻度异常者经内分泌专科协助能坚持完成抗病毒治疗.结论 干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗CHC患者疗效显著,获得SVR的52例停药后随访96周均无复发,疗效与感染HCV时较年轻、感染时间较短、多数患者病毒载量较低、治疗依从性较好等因素有关,与性别无关.只要患者血清HCV RNA阳性,均应抗病毒治疗,以清除病毒、阻断和延缓病情进展.     

小剂量干扰素α-2b递增方案联合利巴韦林治疗失代偿期丙型肝炎肝硬化的疗效观察

目的:观察应用干扰素α-2b小剂量开始逐渐加量,联合利巴韦林方案治疗失代偿期丙型肝炎肝硬化的临床疗效。方法:18例失代偿期丙型肝炎肝硬化患者采用干扰素α-2b(IFNα-2b)治疗。初始剂量为200万U/次,皮下注射,每周3次,加利巴韦林600mg/d,分3次口服,治疗1～3个月后,根据病情逐步将IFNα-2b剂量增加至300～500万U/次肌注及利巴韦林800～1000mg/d,分3次口服,治疗48周,观察疗效。结果:18例患者有17例耐受较好并完成IFN疗程,而1例无法耐受利巴韦林治疗提前终止。与治疗前比较,17例患者治疗后的ALT、AST、TBil、Alb、CHE、PTA、HCVRNA,肝纤维化指标(HA、LN、PCⅢ,C-Ⅳ)均有明显改善(P0.05)。结论:小剂量IFNα-2b开始逐渐加量联合利巴韦林方案可治疗失代偿期丙型肝炎肝硬化患者,但治疗的远期疗效还有待进一步观察。     

干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎临床观察

目的探讨不同剂量重组人干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林胶囊治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗效和安全性。方法 30例慢性丙型肝炎患者随机分为A组和B组,分别给予安达芬300万单位和600万单位及联合利巴韦林胶囊治疗48周,随访24周。结果两组患者在治疗24周、48周和随访24周时的应答率无显著性差异(P0.05);A组不良反应发生率低于B组(P0.05)。结论 300万单位和600万单位安达芬联合利巴韦林胶囊治疗慢性丙型肝炎,治疗效果无显著性差异。     

干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的疗效

目的 研究昆明地区HCV感染者的病毒基因型分布,观察干扰素和利巴韦林联合治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗效。 方法 采集60例慢性丙型肝炎患者的血液样品,采用特异性探针杂交法进行HCV基因分型,根据基因分型结果将患者分为HCV 1b型感染的长效干扰素治疗组（皮下注射聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 180μg,1次/周）和非1b型感染的普通干扰素治疗组（皮下注射普通干扰素α-1b50μg,隔日1次）,两组患者均口服利巴韦林,剂量为900 ～ 1200 mg/d。治疗前后和随访中检测患者血浆HCV RNA和ALT水平作为疗效评价的指标。用x2检验比较治疗结束后HCV 1b基因型与HCV非1b基因型感染患者肝功能异常率的差异。结果 60例患者的血液样本中,HCV 1b基因型感染患者13例(21.7％),HCV 2a基因型3例(5.0％),HCV 3a基因型10例(16.7％),HCV 3b基因型29例(48.3％),HCV 6a基因型5例(8.3％);60例患者均完成治疗48周,长效干扰素治疗组和普通干扰素治疗组获得持续病毒学应答率分别为46.1％、74.5％;获得早期病毒学应答的患者全部获得持续病毒学应答。长效干扰素治疗组和普通干扰素治疗组在治疗后肝功能仍异常的患者分别占15.4％、14.9％,两组比较,x2=0.01,P＞0.05,差异无统计学意义。结论 (1)昆明地区HCV感染基因型以3b和1b为主;(2)聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗HCV 1b型感染患者的疗效不理想;(3)早期病毒学应答是获得持续病毒学应答的重要预测因素。     

干扰素α-2b与聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a治疗低病毒载量慢性丙型肝炎快速及早期病毒学应答临床观察

目的研究干扰素类型在低病毒载量慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒治疗应答的影响。方法选择120例慢性丙型肝炎患者为研究对象,将120例患者分为聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a(派罗欣,Peg-IFN)组58例和普通干扰素α2b(凯因益生)组62例。所有患者用干扰素联合利巴韦林抗病毒治疗。Peg-IFN组选用180μg每周注射1次,普通干扰素组为600MU隔日注射1次。利巴韦林使用剂量900~1 200mg/d。疗程:达RVR之后再应用24周;达EVR之后再应用36周;对于12周未达EVR者再应用48周。对抗病毒治疗的应答情况与干扰素类型及丙肝病毒载量的关系进行回顾性分析。结果两组中,普通干扰素组RVR获得率为79%,EVR获得率为85.4%,派罗欣组的RVR获得率为81%,EVR获得率为89.6%。对于RVR的获得,x~2=0.009,P0.05,对于EVR的获得,x~2=0.036,P0.05,对于SVR的获得,x~2=0.010,P0.05,组间比较差异无统计学意义。结论在病毒载量较低的情况下,聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a与普通干扰素α-2b抗病毒治疗的RVR、EVR、SVR获得率差异无统计学意义。     

聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 联合利巴韦林治疗基因1b 型慢性丙型肝炎临床观察

目的：观察聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 联合利巴韦林治疗基因1b 型慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）的疗效及不良反应。方法40例基因1b 型 CHC 患者应用聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 联合利巴韦林治疗,疗程48周,随访24周,观察病毒学应答情况及药物不良反应。结果获得快速病毒学应答（RVR）、完全早期病毒学应答（cEVR）、治疗结束时病毒学应答（ETVR）和持续病毒学应答（SVR）比例分别为65．0％、82．5％、90．0％、82．5％,获得 RVR 者均获得 SVR;合并脂肪肝者获得 SVR 的比例低于无脂肪肝者（P ＜0．05）;治疗过程中聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 减量者8例,利巴韦林减量者6例。结论聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a 联合利巴韦林治疗基因1b 型 CHC 疗效良好;合并脂肪肝患者疗效低于无脂肪肝患者;治疗中不良反应普遍,但均能耐受。     

利巴韦林联合不同剂量普通干扰素α-2b治疗基因2、3型慢性丙型肝炎的疗效观察

目的观察利巴韦林（RBV）联合不同剂量干扰素（IFN）OL-2b治疗基因2、3型慢性丙型肝炎的临床疗效。方法将2009年4月至2012年1月收治的46例基因2、3型慢性丙型肝炎患者分为治疗组24例和对照组22例,两组均在第1个月每日肌肉注射IFNα-2b6MU1次;治疗组在第2个月隔日肌肉注射IFNα-2b6MU1次,在第3个月及以后隔日肌肉注射IFNα-2b3MU1次;对照组在第2个月及以后隔日肌肉注射IFNα-2b6MU1次;两组均每日分3次口服RBV900～1200mg,疗程均为6个月;两组获得治疗结束时病毒学应答（ETVR）的患者在疗程结束后6个月时随访;无应答（NR）的患者延长疗程3个月。比较两组治疗后快速病毒学应答（RVR）、早期病毒学应答（EVR）、治疗结束时病毒学应答（ETVR）、无应答（NR）和持久病毒学应答（SVR）情况;比较两组治疗费用和不良反应。计数资料组间比较采用,检验。结果治疗组24例和对照组22例获得RVR、EVR、EVR均较高,分别为15例（62．50％）和13例（59．09％）（X^2=0．056,P〉0．05）、17例（70．83％）和15例（68．18％）（X^2=0．038,P〉0．05）、20例（83．33％）和19例（86．36％）（X^2=0．082,P〉0．05）;治疗组和对照组NR均较低,分别为4例（16．67％）和3例（13．64％）（X^2=0．082,P〉0．05）;治疗组和对照组获得SVR也较高,分别为18例（75．00％）和17例（77．27％）（X^2=0．033,P〉0．05）,差异均无统计学意义。治疗组使用IFNα-2b的总量及治疗费用比对照组少近30％,药物不良反应也较轻。结论RBV联合IFNα-2b“诱导疗法”治疗基因2、3型慢性丙型肝炎可获得较高的RVR、EVR,减少IFN剂量的维持治疗也能获得较高的ETVR和SVR,能减轻患者经济负担和药物不良反应。     

A randomized trial of prolonged high dose of interferon plus ribavirin for hepatitis C patients nonresponders to interferon alone

Retreatment of chronic hepatitis C patients nonresponders to interferon (IFN) alone with the standard dose of IFN [3 million units (MU) thrice weekly (TIW)] plus ribavirin for 24 weeks has yielded low sustained virological response (SVR), averaging 8%. The aim of the present, open-labelled, randomized study was to evaluate the efficacy of IFN induction therapy followed by prolonged high dose of IFN plus ribavirin in nonresponders. One hundred and fifty-one patients were randomized to receive 5 MU daily of IFN alfa-2b (group 1, n = 73) or 5 MU TIW of IFN alfa 2b (group 2, n = 78) for 4 weeks followed by IFN (5 MU TIW) plus ribavirin (1000/1200 mg/daily) for 48 weeks in both groups. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the sustained virological response (SVR) at 24-week follow-up was 33 and 23% for group 1 and 2, respectively (P = 0.17). The overall SVR was 52 and 18% in patients with genotype 2/3 and 1/4, respectively. Among genotype 1/4 patients the SVR was 29 and 11% for age younger or older than 40 years. Compared with genotype 2/3 patients, the risk (95% confidence interval) of nonresponse to retreatment was 3.0-fold (1.17-8.0) in younger genotype 1/4 patients and 8.4-fold (3.0-23.29) in older genotype 1/4 patients. In conclusion these results suggest that retreatment with a reinforced regimen should be focused in nonresponder genotype 2/3 patients and younger genotype 1/4 patients, who are most likely to benefit. Induction therapy does not improve SVR.     

Treatment effects and predictors of a 24-week course of interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1b and a high viral load, the sustained virological response (SVR) rate remained as low as 2-3% with conventional interferon (IFN) monotherapy, but improved to more than 20% with IFN alpha-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy. This study examined the therapeutic effects and predictors of this combination therapy. METHODS: Subjects were 105 patients with chronic hepatitis C (73 males, 32 females) with a median age of 53 years (range 19-70 years). Seventy-two patients had genotype lb and 33 patients had genotype 2 (2a or 2b). Six million units (MU) or 10 MU of IFN alpha-2b was administered by intramuscular injection six times a week for the first 2 weeks, and the same amount of IFN was administered three times a week for the following 22 weeks. During the IFN administration period, 600-800 mg of oral ribavirin was administered daily. Patients who were hepatitis C virus (HCV)-RNA negative 24 weeks after the completion of administration were defined as SVR. RESULTS: The overall SVR rate was 39%; 22.2% for the genotype 1b group and 75.8% for the genotype 2 group, and the difference between the groups was significant (P < 0.0001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors that contributed to SVR include genotype 2, age (younger than 53 years), and an increase in Th2 measured by flow cytometry before and 4 weeks after start of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The overall SVR rate of IFN alpha-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy for 24 weeks was 39%, and contributing factors for SVR rate include genotype 2, age younger than 53 years and elevated Th2.     

干扰素α-2b联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者疗效观察

目的：观察普通干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎患者的临床疗效。方法87例慢性丙型肝炎患者被随机分成对照组44例和观察组43例,均应用重组人干扰素α-2b 联合利巴韦林治疗,分别治疗48周和72周,随访24周,观察疗效。结果在44例对照组患者中,HCV 1b型感染者28例（63.6%）,2a型感染者8例（18.2%）,在观察组43例患者中则分别为29例（67.4%）和6例（14.0%）;对照组获得快速病毒学应答率（RVR）、早期病毒学应答（EVR）、治疗结束时应答（ETR）和持续病毒学应答率（SVR）分别为40.9%、59.1%、68.2%和38.6%,而观察组则分别为39.5%、60.5%、88.4%（P＜0.05）和65.1%（P＜0.05）;根据血清HCV RNA水平是否≥1×106copies/m1,将两组患者分为高病毒载量组和低病毒载量组,结果两组低病毒载量组患者的ETR和SVR均显著高于高病毒载量组（P＜0.05）。结论延长干扰素联合利巴韦林治疗慢性丙型肝炎的疗程有助于提高SVR。     

Potent induction therapy with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy does not achieve a higher sustained virological response rate in chronic hepatitis C with genotype 1b and high hepatitis C virus RNA level

Aims: To compare twice-daily interferon (IFN)-beta administration and once-daily IFN-alpha-2b administration as induction therapy in ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C with a high viral load of genotype-1b hepatitis C virus (HCV). Methods: Sixty-one chronic hepatitis patients with a high viral load of genotype-1b HCV were randomly divided into three groups: group A was given IFN-beta 6 MU induction therapy twice daily for 2 weeks; group B was given IFN-alpha-2b 6 MU induction therapy once daily for 2 weeks; and group C was given no induction therapy. All three groups were then given IFN-alpha-2b 6 MU 3 days/week for the rest of the 24-week study period. Ribavirin was given for the entire 24-week study period. Results: Although the cumulative HCV-RNA negative rates tended to be higher in group A than in group B, the differencewas not significant. The HCV-RNA negative rate at week 2 was significantly higher in groups A and B than in group C (P < 0.05). The sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 16% overall, 21% for groups A and B, and 5% for group C; the SVR rate of groups A plus B tended to be higher than that of group C (P = 0.093). Conclusions: There was no difference between the effects of the two induction therapies; potent induction therapy does achieve higher early viral clearance but not a higher SVR rate.     

芪参二莲汤加聚乙二醇干扰素α-2a联合利巴韦林治疗1b型慢性丙型肝炎疗效观察

目的：观察探讨PEG IFN（聚乙二醇干扰素）α-2a联合利巴韦林的基础上,加用芪参二莲汤治疗慢性丙型病毒性肝炎（CHC）的临床疗效。方法：选取我院2011年5月-2012年1月HCV RNA阳性的1b型CHC患者62例随机分为两组,治疗组30例,采用PEG IFNα-2a联合利巴韦林加芪参二莲汤治疗,对照组32例应用PEG IFNα-2a联合利巴韦林治疗,疗程48周,疗程结束后随访24周。并观察治疗前、后两组患者肝功能、HCV RNA及PBMC变化。结果：治疗组EVR为76.67%,ETVR为86.67%,随访SVR为83.33%;对照组分别为34.37%、50.00%、31.32%。两组病毒学应答比较,治疗组EVR、ETVR、SVR较对照组疗效显著,其差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。两组患者治疗48周后,ALT、TBil与本组治疗前比较,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,其中治疗组ALT与同组治疗前比较,差异具有显著意义（P〈0.01）;两组患者治疗48周后,两组间同时段ALT及TBil比较,治疗组更优于对照组,差异均具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。两组患者治疗48周后IL-10水平较本组治疗前均有所降低,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;两组间治疗后48周同时段相比较,治疗组患者改善优于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,随访24周,两组间比较,差异仍具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。治疗48后两组患者IL-12水平较本组治疗前比较差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,但随访24周显示,治疗组IL-12水平较同时段对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：芪参二莲汤加PEG IFNα-2a联合利巴韦林治疗1b型CHC疗效显著,明显优于单用干扰素联合利巴韦林的临床疗效。不仅可以显著抑制HCV RNA复制,改善肝功能,而且可以减轻不良反应,预后良好稳定,值得临床推广。     

Treatment of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplants: efficacy of a six versus a twelve month course of interferon alfa 2b with ribavirin

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interferon (IFN) with ribavirin combination therapy (CT) was proposed for the treatment of hepatitis C recurring in liver transplants. We assessed the efficacy of two protocols of CT in transplanted patients with recurrent severe hepatitis C virus (HCV) hepatitis.METHODS: Fifty-seven patients (68% genotype 1b) were treated with IFN alfa-2b 3 million units three times weekly and oral ribavirin 800mg/die for 6 or 12 months. Study end-points were the end of treatment (ETVR) and the 12-month post-therapy sustained virologic response (SVR; negative HCV-RNA).RESULTS: ETVR was induced in 9/27 (33%) and in 7/30 patients (23%) treated, respectively, for 6 and 12 months (P=0.4); a SVR was induced in six (22%) of the former and five (17%) of the latter (P=0.4). HCV genotype non-1 patients responded better than genotype 1 (SVR: 43% in genotype non-1 versus 12% in genotype 1, P: 0.02). In ETV responders the hepatitis activity index improved by >2 points in biopsies taken after therapy compared to pre-therapy biopsies. Anemia and leukopenia required reduction of therapy in 51% of the patients.CONCLUSIONS: CT is efficacious in controlling HCV disease in about 20% of transplants with recurrent hepatitis C. Six months of therapy are as efficacious as 12 months.     

Comparison of low-dose pegylated interferon versus standard high-dose pegylated interferon in combination with ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C with genotype 3: an Indian experience

Background and Aims: In chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with genotype 3, therapy with pegylated interferon (peg‐IFN) alfa‐2b in a dose of 1.5 μg/kg/week and ribavirin (800–1000 mg/day) is recommended for 24 weeks. Reduced doses of peg‐IFN may increase compliance and decrease cost and adverse events. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of two different regimens of peg‐IFN alfa‐2b, in combination with ribavirin, in genotype 3 patients. Methods: A total of 103 liver biopsy–proven chronic HCV patients with genotype 3, having alanine aminotransferase levels >1.2 × ULN and positive HCV‐RNA were randomized into two groups: group I (n = 76; age, 43.1 ± 11.4 years; male/female, 67/9) received peg‐IFN 1.0 μg/kg/week + ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day, while group II (n = 27; age, 37.3 ± 11.6 years; male/female, 21/6) received peg‐IFN 1.5 μg/kg/week + ribavirin 10.6 mg/kg/day. Patients in both groups were treated for 24 weeks. End of treatment viral response (ETVR) and sustained viral response (SVR) after a 6‐month follow‐up period were assessed. Results: In both groups I and II, one patient was lost to follow‐up, while one patient in group II withdrew due to side‐effects. ETVR was seen in 72/76 (94.7%) of patients in the low dose group and 24/27 (88.9%) of patients in the high dose group (P = 0.375). SVR was seen in 60/76 (78.9%) of patients in the low dose group and 25/27 (92.6%) of patients in the high dose group (P = 0.145). Age (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.263; P = 0.008) and fibrosis (correlation coefficient, 0.263; P = 0.008) showed a significant correlation with the SVR. Conclusion: In patients with genotype 3, peg‐IFN at 1.0 μg/kg/week with ribavirin is as effective as peg‐IFN at 1.5 μg/kg/week with ribavirin.