ABSTRACT
To determine the effect of different factors on the efficacy of treatment in Hepatitis C patients. Descriptive, analytical study. Shalamar hospital Lahore. October 2010 to May 2013. A total of 254 Hepatitis C patients infected with different genotypes of Hepatitis C virus [HCV] were treated with Interferon alpha 2b plus Ribavirin [IFN alpha-2b+RBV] for 6-12 months according to viral genotype. Before starting the treatment, the presence of HCV and its quantity in the patient was done by real-time PCR. HCV Genotyping was done by multiplex PCR. The patients with <40 years of age or had less than 2 million international units per milliliter basic viral load [<2 MIU/ml] showed better end of therapy [EOT] and sustained virological response [SVR] than >/=40 years of age or >/=2 MIU/mL basic viral load. The response of males to Interferon therapy was better than females. The patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 4 exhibited lower response than those infected with other than 1 or 4 genotype. The affect of other variables like alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, injection brand change or missing the injection during therapy were also remarkable in the present study. With proper management of the factors mentioned in the present study efficacy of the treatment can be improved