The Role of Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin in Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 3: A Study of Real-World Practice in Southeast Asia
Wattana Sukeepaisarnjaroen MD1,2, Tanita Suttichaimongkol MD1
Affiliation : 1 Department of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand 2 Liver Disease Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Background : This is the report released after the 2012 implementation of a national program that gave all Thai citizens
access to treatment for chronic hepatitis C genotypes 3.
Objective : The present study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of pegylated interferon-alfa [PEG-IFα] and Ribavirin
[RBV], as well as predictive factors of sustained virological response [SVR].
Materials and Methods : The authors retrospectively enrolled 97 HCV genotype 3 treatment-naive infected patients who fit
the study criteria and had received treatment at Srinagarind hospital from August 2012 to May 2015. Patients were given
PEG-IFα either 2a or 2b plus RBV for 24 weeks and SVR analysis was conducted.
Results : Ninety-three patients had genotype-3a and four had genotype-3b. There was no difference in efficacy between
PEG-IFα-2a and PEG-IFα-2b for achieving SVR (83.7% (36/43) vs. 87% (47/54), respectively, p = 0.64). Multivariate
logistic regression analysis found that high platelet count (Adjusted odds ratio = 4.04, 95% CI 1.03 to 15.94) remained
independent predictive factor related to higher SVR rates. Patients who had Rapid Virological Response [RVR] also achieved
higher SVR rates (94.7% (54/57) vs. 72.5% (29/40), p = 0.03). Virological responses at various times were also strong
predictive factors of SVR. Overall incidence of serious adverse events was 7%, (7/97). There were three cases of premature
discontinuation (3.1%) and ten incidences of anemia (Hb <8g/dl) (10.31%). Anemia was managed mostly by PEG and RBV
dose reduction.
Conclusion : Our analysis demonstrated the safety, tolerability and high SVR rates of PEG-IFα and RBV, especially patients
who had RVR.
Keywords : Chronic hepatitis C, Genotype 3, Peg-interferon and ribavirin, Treatment, Thailand
