ABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Hepatitis A/epidemiology , National Health ProgramsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: The distribution of blood lipids, glucose and their determinants in thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has rarely been investigated. Thus, we aimed to investigate the relationship between both liver histologic findings and viral markers and serum lipids in thalassemic patients chronically infected with HCV. METHODS: We enrolled 280 polytransfused thalassemic patients with chronic hepatitis C. HCV viral load was determined using the Amplicor test. Genotyping was performed using genotype specific primers. Fasting serum lipid, glucose, ferritin and liver function enzyme concentrations were measured. A modified Knodell scoring system was used to stage liver fibrosis and to grade necroinflammatory activity. Perls' staining was used to assess hepatic siderosis. RESULTS: Just one subject had total cholesterol >200 mg/dL, and 7% had triglycerides >150 mg/dL. The mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and glucose levels were 37 and 104 (97-111) mg/dL, respectively. Viral markers, liver histological findings and aminotransferase activity were not associated with serum lipid levels. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and ferritin were independent risk factors for impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes in these patients. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the patients had blood lipid levels (with the exception of HDL) within the defined normal range; viral and liver histological factors do not appear to play a significant role in changing the levels of serum lipids or glucose in these patients.
Subject(s)
Humans , Cholesterol , Cholesterol, HDL , Fasting , Ferritins , Genotype , Glucose , Hepacivirus , Hepatitis , Hepatitis C , Hepatitis C, Chronic , Iran , Lipoproteins , Liver , Liver Cirrhosis , Risk Factors , Thalassemia , Triglycerides , Viral Load , Viruses , BiomarkersABSTRACT
Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection is the most common transfusion transmitted disease in poly-transfused patients worldwide. In this study we aimed to evaluate the effects of pegylated interferon alfa-2a [PEG-IFN A-2a] in reducing serum ALT and eradicating serum hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA in HCV infected polytransfused thalassemic patients. A cohort of 51 HCV-RNA positive thalassemic patients were enrolled to our study and received 180 u,g PEG-IFN A-2a once-weekly for 48 weeks. The primary end point was sustained virological response [SVR]. The secondary outcome was normalization of ALT. Patient safety was assured by monthly, and if needed, weekly laboratory assessment and visits. Of 52 patients, 42 participants completed the treatment schedule. A sustained virological response [SVR] was attained in 22/51 [43%] cases. Among non-responders or relapsers to previous HCV antiviral therapy, 9/27 [33%] attained an SVR. Five patients died during treatment and 3 subjects discontinued the therapy because of adverse effects. Adverse events were generally mild, and laboratory abnormalities were rare. A course of 48-week PEG-IFN A-2a monotherapy is effective in eradicating HCV-RNA during treatment. But about one third of thalassemic patients would relapse within 6 months of treatment schedule completion, in whom combination therapy is needed