Table 3

Univariate analysis of predictors associated with biochemical and virological sustained responders to interferon (IFN) and ribavirin retreatment

Complete sustained responders (n = 88)All others (n=471)p Value
Values are mean (SD) or No (%).
*Assessed in 409 patients.
PLT, platelets; ULN, upper limit of normal; ALT, alanine transaminase; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IFN, α interferon; MU, mega units.
Men (No (%)) 55 (62.5)314 (66.6)0.44
Mean age (y) 43.5 (12.1) 46.5 (10.6)0.019
Mean PLT (103/mm3)172.1 (56)173.4 (55.2)0.85
Mean ALT (ULN) 3.0 (2.1) 3.1 (2.1)0.68
Mean γ-glutamyltransferase (ULN) 1.2 (1.3) 1.7 (1.5) 0.01
HCV genotype (No (%))0.38
    Type 1 43 (48.8)254 (53.9)
    Other than type 1 45 (51.1)217 (46.0)
Serum HCV-RNA (No (%))*0.79
    <2×106 copies/ml 55 (82)281 (83.3)
    ≥2×106 copies/ml 12 (18) 56 (16.6)
Liver biopsy (No (%))0.061
    Chronic hepatitis (Metavir F1 to F3)
        Metavir A1-A2 31 (35.2)217 (46)
        Metavir A3-A4 49 (55.6)198 (42)
    Cirrhosis (Metavir F4) 8 (9.0) 56 (11.8)
Second IFN course (No (%))0.0037
    Total dose <432 MU 14 (15.9)149 (31.6)
    Total dose ≥432 MU 74 (84.1)322 (68.3)
1st→2nd IFN course0.26
    Standard→medium/high (No (%))
        No 33 (37.5)207 (43.9)
        Yes 55 (62.5)264 (56)