A randomised study of peginterferon and ribavirin for 16 versus 24 weeks in patients with genotype 2 chronic hepatitis C. Issue 4 (6th September 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Ming-Lung; Dai, Chia-Yen; Huang, Jee-Fu; Hou, Nai-Jen; Lee, Li-Po; Hsieh, Ming-Yen; Chiu, Chang-Fu; Lin, Zu-Yau; Chen, Shinn-Cherng; Hsieh, Ming-Yuh; Wang, Liang-Yen; Chang, Wen-Yu; Chuang, Wan-Long
• Is Part Of: Gut. Volume 56:Issue 4(2007)
• Page Start: 553
• Page End: 559
• Publication Date: 2006-09-06
• Subjects: CHC, chronic hepatitis C -- ETVR, end-of-treatment virological response -- HCV, hepatitis C virus -- RVR, rapid virological response -- SVR, sustained virological response; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.1136/gut.2006.102558
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0017-5749

Abstract

Abstract : Background: The recommended treatment for patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 2 (HCV2) is pegylated interferon (peginterferon) and ribavirin for 24 weeks. Aim: To assess whether a shorter 16-week treatment is as effective as a standard 24-week treatment. Methods: Patients with HCV2 infection were randomised in a 1:2 ratio to either 16 weeks (n = 50) or 24 weeks (n = 100) of treatment with peginterferon α-2a (180 μg/week) and weight-based ribavirin 1000–1200 mg/day, with a 24-week follow-up period. A rapid virological response (RVR) was defined as seronegative for HCV RNA at 4 weeks of treatment, and the primary end point, sustained virological response (SVR), as seronegative for HCV RNA at the 24-week follow-up. Results: The rate of RVR and SVR was 86% (43/50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 76% to 96%) and 94% (47/50, CI 87% to 100%), respectively, in the 16-week group, which was comparable to 87% (87/100, CI 80% to 94%) and 95% (95/100, CI 91% to 99%) in the 24-week group. Patients with RVR had a significantly higher SVR rate than patients without RVR in both 16-week (100% vs 57%, p = 0.015) and 24-week groups (98% vs 77%, p = 0.002). Multivariate analysis showed that RVR and age were independent factors associated with SVR. Both treatment arms were equally well tolerated. The incidence of alopecia was significantly higher in the 24-week group (49%) than in the 16-week group (20%, p = 0.001). Conclusion: 16 weeks and 24 weeks of peginterferon treatment with weight-based ribavirin at a dose of 1000–1200 mg/day provided equal efficacy in patients with HCV2 who achieved RVR at 4 weeks.