Abstract
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected hemophiliacs respond at low rate to interferon (IFN) monotherapy.
Aims:
To assess efficacy of IFN and RBV in HIV negative hemophiliacs with chronic hepatitis C and identify early predictive factors of response.
Methods:
Twenty naive patients were treated with interferon and RBV for twelve months. Response was assessed by both serial ALT and HCV RNA levels.
Results:
Normalization of ALT with clearance of HCV RNA occurred in seven (35%) patients. Age and age at infection were the only features associated with a higher likelihood of response. In all responders the viral load had decreased by at least one log within two months of starting treatment.
Conclusions:
Combination of interferon and ribavirin is well tolerated by hemophiliacs who achieve similar sustained response rates to non-hemophiliacs. Quantitative assessment of viral load at two months of treatment is a useful method to identify non-responders at an early stage.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adolescent
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Adult
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Age Factors
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Age of Onset
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Alanine Transaminase / blood
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Antiviral Agents / administration & dosage
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Antiviral Agents / adverse effects
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Blood Coagulation Disorders / congenital
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Blood Coagulation Disorders / drug therapy
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Blood Coagulation Disorders / virology*
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Child
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Chronic Disease
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Drug Therapy, Combination
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Factor VII Deficiency / drug therapy
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Factor VII Deficiency / virology
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Female
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HIV Antibodies / blood
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HIV Seronegativity / drug effects*
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Hemoglobins / metabolism
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Hemophilia A / drug therapy
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Hemophilia A / virology
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Hemophilia B / drug therapy
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Hemophilia B / virology
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Hepacivirus / genetics
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Hepatitis C / diagnosis
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Hepatitis C / drug therapy*
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Hepatitis C / etiology
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Humans
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Interferons / administration & dosage
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Interferons / adverse effects
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neutrophils / cytology
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Platelet Count
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Predictive Value of Tests
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Prognosis
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RNA, Viral / blood
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Ribavirin / administration & dosage
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Ribavirin / adverse effects
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Sensitivity and Specificity
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Treatment Outcome
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von Willebrand Diseases / drug therapy
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von Willebrand Diseases / virology
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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HIV Antibodies
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Hemoglobins
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RNA, Viral
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Ribavirin
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Interferons
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Alanine Transaminase