Efficacy and safety of peginterferon α-2b in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic Hepatitis B / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of peginterferon ( PegIFN) α-2b in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B ( CHB).Methods Thirty two patients with HBeAg-positive CHB admitted in Peking University Shenzhen Hospital during November 2013 and January 2014 were recruited in the study.Patients were center randomly assigned into two groups : 22 patients in test group were treated with 180 μg PegIFN α-2b, 1 /w for 48 wk; 10 patients in control group were treated with 180 μg PegIFN α-2a (Pegasys), 1 /w for 48wk.All patients were followed up for 24wk after treatment.Virology markers, HBV DNA levels and liver functions were monitored regularly , and adverse events were observed . Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the efficacy and safety between two groups .Results There were no statistically significant differences between the control group and test group in ALT normalization rates , HBV DNA negative rates and HBeAg serological conversion rates both at the end of treatment and at the end of 24-wk follow-up (all P >0.05).Both groups had similar adverse effect incidence rates (P >0.05), but retina disease occurred in 7 cases of test group, which was not observed in control group .Conclusion Compared with PegIFN α-2a, PegIFN α-2b has similar efficacy and safety for patients with HBeAg -positive CHB.

Escitalopram for intervention of psychiatric adverse events during peginterferon-alfa-2a and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the risk factors of psychiatric adverse events associated with PEG interferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C and assess the efficacy of escitalopram intervention for these adverse effects.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-nine patients with chronic hepatitis C undergoing interferon-based treatment for 12 weeks were assessed for major depression using DSM-IV and SCL-90, and the patients identified to have major depression received escitalopram treatment for intervention. SCL-90 was used to assess the psychological condition of the patients at the forth and eighth weeks of escitalopram treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A male gender, 1b genotype, and intravenous infection are all risk factors of major depression. The morbidity rate of interferon-based depression was 32.2% with rates of hostility, anxiety, depression and sensitivity of 19.7%, 9.2%, and 5.26%, respectively. The total score of SCL-90 and scores for hostility, anxiety, depression and sensitivity all significantly declined after escitalopram treatment in the 19 patients with major depression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Psychological symptoms are common in HCV patients receiving interferon treatment, for whom regular psychological assessment is essential especially for those patients with drug abuse. Prompt use of escitalopram is recommended for effective control of major depression or other psychological symptoms in these patients.</p>

Research on translation and psychometric evaluation and test of chinese version of Stroke Impact Scale 3.0 for Proxy / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Background Quality of life(QOL) refers to the person's subjective appraisal of well-being,life satisfaction,health and functional performance. For those stroke patients who cannot finish the scale themselves,we can try the proxy measurement. However,until recently no QOL scale for proxies were induced to Chinese stroke patients. The goal of this research is to translate and test the SIS 3.0 for proxy,and differences between patient and proxy scores. To translate and test the SIS 3.0 for proxy, and analyzed differences between patient and proxy scores.Methods Ten pairs of patients and their proxies were involved in the primary test. Two hundreds and thirty-three pairs were involved in the formal test. We analyzed the validity, responsiveness, reliability and feasibility of the SIS 3.0 for proxy, as well as the validity in proxy assessment. Results The feasibility was sufficient. Both Split reliability and α coefficient were more than 0.8, demonstrating SIS a reliable instrument. SIS had a good content validity with correlation coefficient more than 0.6. Good criterion validity was established by comparing the scores on various domains to standardized measures with P=0.000. Construct validity was also good as indicated by factor analysis. Proxy scores were significantly different across OHS scales which showed domain responsiveness was good. Comparison of patient and proxy responses resulted in no significant difference. Conclusions SIS for proxy is satisfactory for chinese patients. It is feasible to use a proxy respondent to answer questions on the patient's behalf.