Comparison between clinical and biochemical versus interleukin 28b as a predictive factor of virological response to direct antiviral drugs without interferone in treatment of hepatitis c virus patients

Introduction: for SNP, the CC is associated with a higher SVR after DAAs/RBV therapy while, the genotype TT is a risk factor for non-response

Aim of the work: this study aimed to assess the value of SNP [rs8o99917] as a predictor of SVR

Methodology: this study was a retrospective controlled study and was performed on a total number of 15o patients who were treated by DAAs/RBV for 12 weeks and SNP was done for the all the patients. Results: CC genotype was more prevalent in SVR group than CT and TT genotypes

Conclusion: determination of SNP before starting antiviral therapy may serve as a good response predictor

Muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis

Muscle cramps are involuntary, painful, visible, or palpable muscle contractions of abrupt onset, generally occurring at rest and are often nocturnal. The pain and contraction resolve spontaneously in seconds to several minutes. The calf is the area most commonly affected, but may affect fingers and hands. The reported prevalence of true muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients varies from 22 - 88%. Clinically; significant muscle cramps occur less frequently [8 - 20%]. Thirty patients were chosen for this study to estimate the prevalence of muscle cramps among patients with liver cirrhosis irrespective of the etiology, to find the role of zinc in the pathogenesis of cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis and to find the relation between the clinical; laboratory; ultra-sonography of the liver and muscle cramps. They were divided into two groups: Group [A] twenty patients with liver cirrhosis were further subdivided according to the presence or absence of muscle cramps into: Sub-Group [A1]: included 14 patients with liver cirrhosis and muscle cramps [7 males and 7 females] with a mean age of 56.5+/-5.25 years. Sub-Group [A2]: included 6 patients with liver cirrhosis without muscle cramps [5 males and 1 female] with a mean age of 57.5+/-4.37 years. Group [B] included 10 patients with congestive heart failure [6 males and 4 females] with a mean age of 55.6+/-11.32 years. Results revealed that muscle cramps was more prevalent in patients with liver cirrhosis, compared to patients with congestive heart failure [70% vs 20% with P< 0.01]. There was a significant relation between the frequency of occurrence of cramps and the presence of haematemisis, Jaundice, ascites, splenic size, portal vein diameter, low serum albumin, high serum bilirubin and low serum sodium, calcium, as well as there was a significant relation between a low serum zinc level and the occurrence of cramps in liver cirrhosis. There was no relation between liver enzyme and serum alkaline phosphatase and cramps in liver cirrhosis. On conclusion muscle cramps are a common symptom in patients with cirrhosis and can be triggered by many factors especially a low serum zinc level