Hepatitis C patients; treatment compliance of having poor socio-economic back ground

ABSTRACT

To determine the impact of antiviral treatment of Hepatitis C patients with poor socio-economic resources. Prospective cohort study. Department of Medicine, Sheikh Zayed Medical College / Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, from August 2006 to February 2007. One hundred known cases of hepatitis C were selected. PCR and biochemical tests were performed before the start of therapy. Interferon and Ribavirin therapy was given according to standard therapeutic protocol. Patients were continuously motivated and educated for regular treatment. The observations were collected regularly. Out of hundred cases 95 improved symptomatically. One got worse while 4 remained symptomatic. At the end of therapy PCR was performed only in 4 cases. In non affording patients although exact status of viral clearance is not known but some thing is better than nothing rule was applied for treatment of patients