Frequency of Hepatitis B and C viral markers in patients of cirrhosis liver in the north west frontier province

To assess the frequency of hepatitis B and C viral markers in patients with cirrhosis liver. This descriptive case series was conducted in the Medical units of District Headquarter Hospital Daggar and Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar from January 2006 to December 2006 on 280 cirrhotic patients. All these patients were studied for hepatitis B and C viral markers. Out of 280 patients, 156 [55.7%] were males and 124 [44.3%] were female with age ranging from 14 to 75 years and mean age of 56.3 + 16.4 years. Out of 280 patients, 129 [46.07%] were positive for hepatitis C virus [HCV] antibodies. Seventy nine patients [28.21%] were positive for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]. Sixteen patients [5.71%] were positive for both HBsAg and anti HCV. Fifty six patients [20%] were negative for seromarkers of both hepatitis B and C viruses. It is evident form this study that Hepatitis C is a leading cause of cirrhosis in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan, followed by HBV. Both the viruses account for at least three fourths of the patients with liver cirrhosis

Outcome of combined interferon-ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C

To determine the outcome of 24 weeks combination treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin as initial therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients and frequency of associated adverse effects during the treatment. Descriptive study. Medical Unit, DHQ Hospital, Daggar, District Buner, NWFP, Pakistan, from January 1999 to June 2002. Three hundreds and fifty consecutive non-cirrhotic, chronic hepatitis C patients with positive HCV anti bodies by 3rd generation ELISA, positive HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and raised serum alanine amino transferase [ALT] were evaluated and treated with combination of interferon alfa 2-b three million units subcutaneously three injection weekly and ribavirin 800-1200 mg orally daily for 24 weeks and followed for another 6 months. The HCV RNA was checked after 12 weeks and at the end of the treatment. The ALT level was checked after 04 weeks, at 12 weeks, and at the end of the treatment. End of the treatment viral response, sustained viral response and side effects of therapy were noted. Normal ALT was observed in 260 [74.2%] of the patients after one month of treatment and 310 [88.5%] of the patients at the end of 03 months. HCR RNA was not detectable in 275 [78.5%] of the patients at the end of 03 months [12 weeks of treatment]. At the end of 24 weeks of treatment the HCV RNA was not detectable in 298 [85.14%] patients. Two hundred and seventy-six [78.85%] of the patients had persistently normal ALT and HCV RNA in the six months' follow up after treatment. Combination treatment of interferon and ribavirin for 24 weeks produced 88.57% biochemical and 85.14% virological response. The side effects of anti-viral therapy were tolerable and manageable

Treatment response of hepatitis C patients to combination therapy of interferon plus ribavirin

To evaluate effectiveness and safety of 24 weeks combination treatment with Interferon and Ribavirin as initial therapy of chronic hepatitis C patients. This study was conducted in Medical unit DHQ Hospital Daggar District Buner from January 1999 to June 2002. Three hundreds and fifty consecutive non cirrhotic, chronic hepatitis C patients [Male=176 Female=174] with positive HCV anti bodies by 3rd generation ELISA, positive HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and raised serum amino transferase [ALT] were prospectively evaluated and treated with combination of interferon alfa 2-b three million units subcutaneously three injection weekly and ribavirin 800-1200 mg orally daily for 24 weeks and followed for another 6 months. The HCV RNA was checked after 12 weeks and then at the end of the treatment. The ALT level was checked after 04 weeks, then at 12 weeks, and at the end of the treatment. End of the treatment viral response, sustained viral response and side effects of therapy were noted. Normal ALT was observed in 260 [74.2%] of the patients after 01 month of treatment and 310 [88.5%] of the patients at the end of 03 months. HCR RNA was not detectable in 275 [78.5%] of the patients at the end of 03 months [12 weeks of treatment]. At the end of 24 weeks of treatment the HCV RNA was not detectable in 298 [85.14%] patients. Two hundred and seventy six [78.85%] of the patients had persistently normal ALT and HCV RNA in the six months follow up after treatment. 1] Combination treatment of interferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks is effective in terms of biochemical and virological response. 2] The side effects are quite tolerable and managable