Résumé
Objective: to compare the efficacy of rifaximin vs control group in addition to lactulose for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy with constipate
Methods: a total 100 patients were enrolled in this study. After taking an informed consent the demographic data was collected. Patients were well informed regarding the treatment and its possible effect. The patients were examined for the confirmation of hepatic encephalopathy with constipation. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A received additional rifaximin with lactulose and Group B received only lactulose. The treatment was continued for four months and then patients were observed
Results: in our study, 18% [n=9] in Group-A and 24% [n=12] in Group-B were between 18-30 years of age while 82% [n=41] in Group-A and 76% [n=38] in Group-B were between 31-60 years of age, mean+/-sd was calculated as 47.7+/-10.44 and 46.1 +/-10.77 years respectively. Comparison of efficacy in both groups shows 68% [n=34] in Group-A and 58% [n=29] in Group-B while 32% [n=16] in Group-A and 42% [n=21] in Group-B had no findings of efficacy
Conclusion: we concluded that the efficacy of rifaximin is significantly better when compared to control group in addition to lactulose for treatment of hepatic encephalopathy with constipation
Résumé
Objective: to determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients of chronic hepatitis C treated with Interferon alpha 2b and Ribavirin
Methods: a total of 120 cases having active hepatitis C assessed by HCV RNA PCR as per operational definition for at least 3 months between 15 years to 60 years of both gender were included in the study from outdoor of Services Hospital Lahore after a written informed consent. All the demographics including name, age, gender and address were entered in a pre-defined questionnaire. Patients were treated with Interferon alpha 2b [dose] three million international units subcutaneously three times a week and Ribavirin [dose] 1200 mg oral dailyfor24 weeks. As per hospital routine Thyroid dysfunction was evaluated as per operational definitions bycollecting4ml of blood in a 5cc syringe at 0 [baseline] and 12 week. Presence or absence of thyroid dysfunction at 12 weeks was labelled as per operational definition
Results: in our study, out of 120 cases, 42.5% [n=51] were between 15-40 years while 57.5% [n=69] were between 41-60 years of age, mean +/-sd was calculated as 42.49+/-11.54 years, 59.17% [n=71] were male while 40.83% [n=49] were females, frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients of chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alpha 2b and ribavirin was recorded in 21.67% [n=26]
Conclusion: we concluded that the frequency of thyroid dysfunction in patients of chronic hepatitis C treated with Interferon alpha 2b and Ribavirin is not very high but reaches at a considerable level and necessary steps should be taken for the management of this morbidity while interferon therapy is given to the Hepatitis C virus cases