Histological response study of chronic viral hepatitis C patients treated with interferon alone or combined with ribavirin
Braz. j. infect. dis
;
12(5): 362-367, Oct. 2008. graf, tab, ilus
Article
in English
| LILACS, SES-SP
| ID: lil-505347
ABSTRACT
Chronic hepatitis C is often a progressive, fibrotic disease that can lead to cirrhosis and other complications. The recommended therapy is a combination of interferon and ribavirin. Besides its antiviral action, interferon is considered to have antifibrotic activity. We examined the outcome of hepatic fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis C patients who were non-responders to interferon. We made a case series, retrospective study, based on revision of medical records and reassessment of liver biopsies. For inclusion, patients should have been treated with interferon alone or combined with ribavirin, with no virological response (non responders and relapsers) and had a liver biopsy before and after treatment. Histological evaluation included i-outcome of fibrosis and necroinflammation; ii-annual fibrosis progression rate evaluation, before and after treatment. Seventy-five patients were included. Fifty-seven patients (76 percent) did not show progression of fibrosis after treatment, compared to six (8 percent) before treatment (p < 0.001). The mean annual fibrosis progression rate was significantly reduced after treatment (p = 0.036). Inflammatory activity improved in 19 patients (25.3 percent). The results support the hypothesis of an antifibrotic effect of interferon-based therapy, in non-responder patients. There was evidence of anti-inflammatory effects of treatment in some patients.
Full text:
Available
Index:
LILACS (Americas)
Main subject:
Antiviral Agents
/
Ribavirin
/
Interferons
/
Hepatitis C, Chronic
/
Liver
/
Liver Cirrhosis
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Observational study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Year:
2008
Type:
Article
Institution/Affiliation country:
University of São Paulo/BR
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