Interferon alpha therapy in haemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis C: a French multicentre pilot study of 58 patients.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol
; 13(7): 859-64, 2001 Jul.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-11474317
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Information about the long-term efficacy of interferon alpha (interferon-alpha) in haemophilic patients with chronic hepatitis not co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) is still limited. Previous studies seemed to indicate a low rate of response. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of interferon treatment in multi-transfused haemophiliacs. METHODS: Fifty-eight haemophiliacs were scheduled to receive 3 MU of interferon-alpha 2b three times a week for 12 months. The patients were followed up for at least 24 months post-treatment. Response was assessed by measurements of serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (41.4%) dropped out. Except for seven patients, the symptoms that led to interrupting interferon treatment would probably not have resulted in the same decision in non-haemophilic patients. One patient developed an inhibitor to the deficient clotting factor without haemorrhagic consequences. In an intent to treat, the sustained virological response rate was 14%. However, when considering only the 34 patients who received the full treatment, HCV-RNA was cleared in eight patients (23%). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that multi-transfused haemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis not co-infected with HIV-1 respond to prolonged treatment with interferon-alpha in a similar proportion to that observed in non-haemophiliacs. There was a high rate of patients who did not complete the interferon-alpha treatment, and this seems to be characteristic of this patient population.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Antivirais
/
Interferon-alfa
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Hepatite C Crônica
/
Hemofilia A
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
/
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol
Assunto da revista:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2001
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
França