Simple formula to predict response to peginterferon alpha2b and ribavirin combination therapy in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C patients with high viral loads |
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Authors: | Yoshito Itoh Takeshi Nishimura Hiroaki Hashimoto Kanji Yamaguchi Toshihisa Niimi Chihiro Yokomizo Hideki Fujii Masahito Minami Kohichiroh Yasui Hironori Mitsuyoshi Takeshi Okanoue Tetsuo Takehara Yoichi Hiasa Morikazu Onji Toshikazu Yoshikawa |
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Affiliation: | 1. Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto;2. Hepatology Center, Saiseikai Suita Hospital;3. Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka;4. Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime, Japan |
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Abstract: | Aim: We advocate a simple formula which can conveniently predict the outcome of Peg‐interferon (IFN) alpha2b and ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy for genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CH‐C) with high viral load. Methods: A total of 338 (group A: 230, Group B: 108) genotype 1 CH‐C patients treated with Peg‐IFN alfa‐2b and RBV were enrolled. Clinical parameters differing significantly between sustained virological responders (SVRs) and non‐SVRs in group A were categorized, then a simple formula to predict SVR was constructed and re‐evaluated in group B. Another formula containing hepatitis C virus amino acid mutations/substitutions also was constructed. Results: In group A, gender and HCV RNA load <1000 KIU were significant predictors of SVR by multivariate logistic regression analysis. A simple formula was constructed (formula A): male gender (point 2) + HCV RNA load <1000 KIU (3) + platelet counts ≥15 × 104 /mm3 (1) + age <60 (1). In group A, score (0–1) predicted SVR rate 23.8% (2–4): 48.1% and (5–7): 70.2%. According to this formula, score (0–1) predicted SVR rate 7.1% (2–4): 38.6%, and (5–7): 70.3% in group B. Information on HCV amino acid mutations/substitutions seemed to add some accuracy. Conclusions: This simple formula can be used to roughly determine, at the patients' first/second visit, the probability of response to Peg‐IFN alpha2b and RBV combination therapy for genotype 1 CH‐C with high viral load. |
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Keywords: | chronic hepatitis C genotype 1b peginterferon and ribavirin combination therapy predictive formula |
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