Advances in the medical treatment and diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage associated with oral anticoagulation.

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), it entails expanding oral anticoagulants (OACs) use, carrying a higher risk of associated hemorrhagic events, including intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Despite advances in OACs development with a better safety profile and reversal agent for these anticoagulants, there is still no consensus on the optimal management of patients with OACs-associated ICH. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors have carried out an exhaustive search on the advances in recent years. The authors provide an update on the management of ICH in anticoagulated patients, as well as an update on the latest evidence on anticoagulation resumption, recent therapeutic strategies, and investigational drugs that could play a role in the future. EXPERT OPINION: Following an ICH event in an anticoagulated patient, a comprehensive clinical evaluation is imperative. Anticoagulation should be promptly withdrawn and reversed. Once the patient is stabilized, a reintroduction of anticoagulation should be considered, typically within a timeframe of 4-8 weeks, if feasible. If re-anticoagulation is not possible, alternative options such as Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion are available.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the long-term quality of life questionnaire.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to translate, culturally adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Spanish Long-Term Quality of Life (LTQL) questionnaire. Methods: The LTQL was initially translated into Spanish and cross-culturally adapted based on established guidelines. The Spanish LTQL was administered to patients with breast cancer who had completed their initial treatment 5 years earlier, along with other self-report measures: Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and EORT-QLQ-BR23. Reliability was evaluated using internal consistency and test-retest. Convergent and known-groups validity were examined. Structural validity as determined by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analyses was used to assess the unidimensionality and item-functioning of the LTQL domains. Results: Cronbach's alpha were above 0.7 in all domains. Test-retest coefficients were between 0.72 to 0.96 for LTQL domains. LTQL total score was correlated with others total scores of other measures: QLACS (r=-0.39), HADS depression (r=-0.57), HADS anxiety (-0.45) and EORTC-QLQ-BR23 (r=-0.50). CFA provided satisfactory fit indices, with RMSEA value of 0.077 and TLI and CFI values of 0.901 and 0.909, respectively. All factor loadings were higher than 0.40 and statistically significant (P<0.001). Rasch analysis showed that Somatic Concerns domain had 4 misfitting items, and Philosophical/Spiritual View of Life and social Support domains only 1 misfit item. However, unidimensionality was supported for the four domains. Conclusion: The findings support the validity and reliability of the Spanish version of LTQL questionnaire to be used in long-term cancer female survivors.

COVID-19 associated pulmonary aspergillosis in critically-ill patients: a prospective multicenter study in the era of Delta and Omicron variants.

BACKGROUND: During the first COVID-19 pandemic wave, COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) has been reported in up to 11-28% of critically ill COVID-19 patients and associated with increased mortality. As new SARS-CoV-2 variants emerged, the characteristics of critically ill COVID-19 patients have evolved, particularly in the era of Omicron. The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of CAPA in the era of new variants. METHODS: This is a prospective multicenter observational cohort study conducted in France in 36 participating intensive care units (ICU), between December 7th, 2021 and April 26th 2023. Diagnosis criteria of CAPA relied on European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM)/International Society for Human & Animal Mycology (ISHAM) consensus criteria. RESULTS: 566 patients were included over the study period. The prevalence of CAPA was 5.1% [95% CI 3.4-7.3], and rose to 9.1% among patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Univariable analysis showed that CAPA patients were more frequently immunosuppressed and required more frequently IMV support, vasopressors and renal replacement therapy during ICU stay than non-CAPA patients. SAPS II score at ICU admission, immunosuppression, and a SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant were independently associated with CAPA in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Although CAPA was not significantly associated with day-28 mortality, patients with CAPA experienced a longer duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay. CONCLUSION: This study contributes valuable insights into the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of CAPA in the era of Delta and Omicron variants. We report a lower prevalence of CAPA (5.1%) among critically-ill COVID-19 patients than previously reported, mainly affecting intubated-patients. Duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay were significantly longer in CAPA patients.

Clinical phenotypes and outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants BA.2, BA.5 and BQ.1.1 in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a prospective, multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Despite current broad natural and vaccine-induced protection, a substantial number of patients infected with emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants (e.g., BF.7 and BQ.1.1) still experience severe COVID-19. Real-life studies investigating the impact of these variants on clinical outcomes of severe cases are currently not available. We performed a prospective multicenter observational cohort study. Adult patients with acute respiratory failure admitted between December 7, 2021 and December 15, 2022, in one of the 20 participating intensive care units (17 from the Greater Paris area and 3 from the North of France) were eligible for inclusion if they had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by a positive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Full-length SARS-CoV-2 genomes from all included patients were sequenced by means of next-generation sequencing. The primary endpoint of the study was day-28 mortality. RESULTS: The study included 158 patients infected with three groups of Omicron sublineages, including (i) BA.2 variants and their early sublineages referred as "BA.2" (n = 50), (ii) early BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages (including BA.5.1 and BA.5.2, n = 61) referred as "BA.4/BA.5", and (iii) recent emerging BA.5 sublineages (including BQ.1, BQ.1.1, BF.7, BE.1 and CE.1, n = 47) referred as "BQ.1.1". The clinical phenotype of BQ1.1-infected patients compared to earlier BA.2 and BA.4/BA.5 sublineages, showed more frequent obesity and less frequent immunosuppression. There was no significant difference between Omicron sublineage groups regarding the severity of the disease at ICU admission, need for organ failure support during ICU stay, nor day 28 mortality (21.7%, n = 10/47 in BQ.1.1 group vs 26.7%, n = 16/61 in BA.4/BA.5 vs 22.0%, n = 11/50 in BA.2, p = 0.791). No significant relationship was found between any SARS-CoV-2 substitution and/or deletion on the one hand and survival on the other hand over hospital follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Critically-ill patients with Omicron BQ.1.1 infection showed a different clinical phenotype than other patients infected with earlier Omicron sublineage but no day-28 mortality difference.

Clinical phenotypes and outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron in critically ill French patients with COVID-19.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron is considered to be less severe than infection with variant Delta, with rarer occurrence of severe disease requiring intensive care. Little information is available on comorbid factors, clinical conditions and specific viral mutational patterns associated with the severity of variant Omicron infection. In this multicenter prospective cohort study, patients consecutively admitted for severe COVID-19 in 20 intensive care units in France between December 7th 2021 and May 1st 2022 were included. Among 259 patients, we show that the clinical phenotype of patients infected with variant Omicron (n = 148) is different from that in those infected with variant Delta (n = 111). We observe no significant relationship between Delta and Omicron variant lineages/sublineages and 28-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 0.68 [0.35-1.32]; p = 0.253). Among Omicron-infected patients, 43.2% are immunocompromised, most of whom have received two doses of vaccine or more (85.9%) but display a poor humoral response to vaccination. The mortality rate of immunocompromised patients infected with variant Omicron is significantly higher than that of non-immunocompromised patients (46.9% vs 26.2%; p = 0.009). In patients infected with variant Omicron, there is no association between specific sublineages (BA.1/BA.1.1 (n = 109) and BA.2 (n = 21)) or any viral genome polymorphisms/mutational profile and 28-day mortality.

Glioblastomas de larga supervivencia: un análisis sistemático de la literatura a propósito de un caso / Long-term survival of glioblastoma: A systematic analysis of literature about a case

Introducción: A pesar de las modificaciones introducidas en el tratamiento de los glioblastomas a partir del 2005, los pacientes supervivientes de más de 10 años se han mantenido constantes, siendo dicha cifra muy pobre e inferior al 1% en la mayoría de los estudios.Material y métodos: Se realiza un análisis sistemático de la literatura identificando los factores que pueden influir en los pacientes de larga supervivencia. Se identifica un caso en nuestro medio de más de 20 años de supervivencia realizándose un análisis actual del bloque de parafina que se conservaba del paciente.Resultados: La variable que más se asocia a la larga supervivencia en todos los análisis multivariantes es la edad, aunque, cuando se analiza las características genéticas y moleculares de los tumores, parecen existir otras variables como la metilación del promotor MGMT que juegan un papel muy importante. El análisis anatomo-patológico actual de la muestra comprueba la certeza del diagnóstico en nuestro paciente de muy larga supervivencia.Conclusiones: Múltiples variables son encontradas que influencian la larga supervivencia en distintas series, si bien los estudios analizados son muy heterogéneos resultando muy difícil la comparación entre ellos. La mayoría de los estudios referenciados pertenecen a bases de datos nacionales de distintos países que engloban a cientos de pacientes. Sería interesante fomentar el uso de una única base de datos en España que permita, entre otros, el análisis de estos pacientes de larga supervivencia afectos de glioblastoma (AU)

Introduction: In spite of the changes for the treatment of glioblastoma since 2005, we haven’t seen differences between long-survival patients of more than 10 years showing a value minor than 1%.Material and method: We realize a systematic analysis and identify important factors for long survivor patients. We also show an own case with more of 20 years of survival. We make a new pathological study of the old paraffin block of this patient.Results: The most important variable associated with long-survival between all multivariant studies is the age. When we try to find genetic and molecular alterations in glioblastoma associated with prolongated survival, the MGMT promoter methylation play the most important role. We find a correct diagnosis in the current analysis of our patient's sample with very long survival.Conclusions: Multiple variables are found that affect long survival of glioblastoma series but analyzed studies are very heterogeneous and it is very difficult comparation between them. Most articles we review are obtained from databases of different countries with hundreds of patients. It would be very interesting to promote the use of a single database in Spain that allows us to study these long-term glioblastoma survivors (AU)

Long-term survival of glioblastoma: A systematic analysis of literature about a case.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of the changes for the treatment of glioblastoma since 2005, we have not seen differences between long-survival patients of more than 10 years showing a value minor than 1%. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We realize a systematic analysis and identify important factors for long survivor patients. We also show an own case with more of 20 years of survival. We make a new pathological study of the old paraffin block of this patient. RESULTS: The most important variable associated with long-survival between all multivariant studies is the age. When we try to find genetic and molecular alterations in glioblastoma associated with prolongated survival, the MGMT promoter methylation play the most important role. We find a correct diagnosis in the current analysis of our patient's sample with very long survival. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple variables are found that affect long survival of glioblastoma series but analyzed studies are very heterogeneous and it is very difficult comparation between them. Most articles we review are obtained from databases of different countries with hundreds of patients. It would be very interesting to promote the use of a single database in Spain that allows us to study these long-term glioblastoma survivors.

[Intestinal endometriosis: a diagnostic challenge for the internist?] / Endometriosis intestinal: ¿un reto diagnóstico para el médico internista?

Background: Within the wide variety of clinical skills distinctive of the internist the diagnostic approach of abdominal pain is paramount in everyday clinical practice. It is well known that no physician can diagnose what they don't know: classically considered as one of the ''great simulators'', intestinal endometriosis is a rare yet potentially fatal cause of abdominal pain if misdiagnosed, thus requiring a comprehensive medical evaluation. Case report: We present the case of a 33-year-old woman evaluated for a bowel obstruction, in the first instance associated with a probable abdominal tumor, subsequently concluding the definitive diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis. Conclusions: Although endometriosis is a frequent pathology, the location and clinical presentation presented in this case is not. However, the lack of information on this, like any other pathology, can delay the diagnosis or carry the risk of offering inappropriate treatments for an incorrect diagnosis. This is the importance of its knowledge and dissemination among first-contact doctors as well as clinical and surgical specialists.

Introducción: Dentro del gran abanico de competencias características del médico clínico se encuentra el abordaje diagnóstico del síndrome doloroso abdominal. Es bien sabido que el médico no diagnostica lo que no conoce. Considerada como una gran simuladora en la patología abdominal, la endometriosis intestinal es una causa de dolor abdominal poco frecuente, pero potencialmente mortal, siendo necesario un abordaje diagnóstico detallado. Caso clínico: Presentamos el caso de una mujer de 33 años evaluada por un cuadro de obstrucción intestinal, en primera instancia asociada a un probable tumor abdominal, concluyendo posteriormente el diagnóstico definitivo de endometriosis intestinal. Conclusiones: Si bien la endometriosis es una patología frecuente, la localización y la presentación clínica de este caso no lo son. Sin embargo, la falta de información de esta, al igual que de cualquier otra patología, puede retrasar el diagnóstico o conllevar el riesgo de ofrecer tratamientos no adecuados por un diagnóstico incorrecto. He aquí la importancia de su conocimiento y difusión entre médicos de primer contacto, así como entre especialistas clínicos y quirúrgicos.

Relationship between infrared skin radiation and muscular strength tests in patients affected by Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy.

Considering that infrared thermography is presented as a diagnostic technique for non-invasive, non-ionizing, fast and easy to use imaging and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy is a clinical condition that seems to be related to changes in the emission of infrared radiation at the skin level due to its neurodegenerative character, we have conducted an investigation by infrared thermography and the use of functional strength tests in the lower limbs in a family of 4 affected members of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy to try to establish a relationship between the evolution of the disease and the emission of infrared radiation in this pathology at the lower limb level and provide a more general view of this disease for a better evaluation and monitoring of the disease.

Can elderly patients with low-risk breast cancer benefit from radiotherapy?

There are few trials published on treatment in elderly women with low-risk breast cancer. Although the clinical behavior is like younger patients, there is a tendency to undertreat them, which may lead to an increase in the risk of local relapses and decrease their survival. The local recurrences omitting adjuvant treatment (tamoxifen or radiotherapy) after breast conserving surgery (BCS) even in low-risk patients is high, reaching up 20%, which is unacceptable. Although tamoxifen and radiotherapy seem to have a similar effect in reducing local recurrence with equal overall survival, the combination of both achieves the maximum benefit with local relapses of less than 2%. In recent years two studies have been published and were designed specifically for elderly patients. The CALGB 9343 and the PRIME II trials recommend omitting radiotherapy in patients with low-risk tumors treated with BCS and tamoxifen based on a similar survival, but with an increase in local relapses when radiotherapy is omitted, 10% at 10 years vs. 2%. There is no basis to ensure that a treatment with tamoxifen has less toxicity in this group of patients who are usually poly-treated, and it seems that treatment compliance is much lower than expected. The decrease in the number of sessions in external radiotherapy with hypofractionation and accelerate partial breast irradiation, especially intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with a single session, makes this recommendation very controversial. Elderly patients may benefit from radiation therapy after BCS.

Publisher Correction: Critical Southern Ocean climate model biases traced to atmospheric model cloud errors.

'In the original HTML version of this Article, ref.12 was incorrectly cited in the first sentence of the first paragraph of the Introduction. The correct citation is ref. 2. This has now been corrected in the HTML version of the Article; the PDF version was correct at the time of publication.'

Critical Southern Ocean climate model biases traced to atmospheric model cloud errors.

The Southern Ocean is a pivotal component of the global climate system yet it is poorly represented in climate models, with significant biases in upper-ocean temperatures, clouds and winds. Combining Atmospheric and Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project (AMIP5/CMIP5) simulations, with observations and equilibrium heat budget theory, we show that across the CMIP5 ensemble variations in sea surface temperature biases in the 40-60°S Southern Ocean are primarily caused by AMIP5 atmospheric model net surface flux bias variations, linked to cloud-related short-wave errors. Equilibration of the biases involves local coupled sea surface temperature bias feedbacks onto the surface heat flux components. In combination with wind feedbacks, these biases adversely modify upper-ocean thermal structure. Most AMIP5 atmospheric models that exhibit small net heat flux biases appear to achieve this through compensating errors. We demonstrate that targeted developments to cloud-related parameterisations provide a route to better represent the Southern Ocean in climate models and projections.

Fístula de alto gasto / High output fistula

Se presenta a un paciente de 37 años de edad que acude a nuestro Cuerpo de Guardia politraumatizado, con lesiones torácicas y abdominales, con síntomas y signos sugestivos de fracturas costales múltiples, con hemotórax derecho y hemoperitoneo, corroborado imaginológicamente y en la punción abdominal. Se realiza pleurostomía mínima intermedia y laparotomía exploratoria. Se le encuentran lesiones hepáticas de los segmentos VI, V, VIII y IV, con una profundidad mayor de 3 cm, además, deserosamientos en las asas delgadas intestinales y colon. Se realiza hepatorrafia y empaquetamiento hepático. Posteriormente van apareciendo complicaciones, por lo que tiene que ser reintervenido en máqs de 60 ocasiones. Entre ellas, la aparición de una fístula de alto gasto, que lo llevó a la desnutrición y a la permanencia con el abdomen expuesto durante 7 meses hasta el egreso. Se revisa la literatura correspondiente a estas entidades(AU)

A 37 years-old multi-traumatized male patient went to our emergency service. He had many injures in the thorax and the abdomen, together with symptoms and signs suggestive of multiple costal fractures, with right hemothorax and hemoperitoneum, all of which was confirmed by imaging techniques and by abdominal puncture. Minimal intermediate pleurostomy and exploratory laparoscopy were performed. We found hepatic lesions in the 6th, 5th, 8th and 4th segments, over 3 cm deep; additionally, the loss of serosa from the intestinal ansae and from the colon. Hepatorrhaphy and hepatic packing were also performed. Later on, more complications appeared, so he had to be re-operated more than 60 times. The occurrence of a high output fistula led him to malnutrition and his abdomen remained exposed for 7 months until he was finally discharged from hospital. This paper also presented a literature review on this topic(AU)

Fístula de alto gasto / High output fistula

Se presenta a un paciente de 37 años de edad que acude a nuestro Cuerpo de Guardia politraumatizado, con lesiones torácicas y abdominales, con síntomas y signos sugestivos de fracturas costales múltiples, con hemotórax derecho y hemoperitoneo, corroborado imaginológicamente y en la punción abdominal. Se realiza pleurostomía mínima intermedia y laparotomía exploratoria. Se le encuentran lesiones hepáticas de los segmentos VI, V, VIII y IV, con una profundidad mayor de 3 cm, además, deserosamientos en las asas delgadas intestinales y colon. Se realiza hepatorrafia y empaquetamiento hepático. Posteriormente van apareciendo complicaciones, por lo que tiene que ser reintervenido en máqs de 60 ocasiones. Entre ellas, la aparición de una fístula de alto gasto, que lo llevó a la desnutrición y a la permanencia con el abdomen expuesto durante 7 meses hasta el egreso. Se revisa la literatura correspondiente a estas entidades(AU)

A 37 years-old multi-traumatized male patient went to our emergency service. He had many injures in the thorax and the abdomen, together with symptoms and signs suggestive of multiple costal fractures, with right hemothorax and hemoperitoneum, all of which was confirmed by imaging techniques and by abdominal puncture. Minimal intermediate pleurostomy and exploratory laparoscopy were performed. We found hepatic lesions in the 6th, 5th, 8th and 4th segments, over 3 cm deep; additionally, the loss of serosa from the intestinal ansae and from the colon. Hepatorrhaphy and hepatic packing were also performed. Later on, more complications appeared, so he had to be re-operated more than 60 times. The occurrence of a high output fistula led him to malnutrition and his abdomen remained exposed for 7 months until he was finally discharged from hospital. This paper also presented a literature review on this topic(AU)

[Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. A study of best predictors for response]. / Tratamiento de la infección crónica por elvirus de la hepatitis C. Factores predictoresde respuesta.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was evaluate the rate of sustained viral response (SVR) and the influence of different factors on the SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2a and ribavirin. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 272 naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been treated for 24 weeks or 48 weeks and had been followed for an additional 6 months thereafter. RESULTS: Out of 272 patients, 243 completed the entire treatment. The overall SVR rate in intent-to-treat analysis was 66.5% and in treated patients was 74.5%. In an univariate analysis, the SVR was associated with age <40 years (84.4%),pre-treatment viral load <500.000 IU/ml (86.9%), non-1 genotype HCV (86.4%), non cirrhosis or pre-cirrhosis (76.5%), rapid virologic response (RVR) (91.4%) and early virologic response (EVR) (83.8%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of an infection caused by a non-1 genotype and to achieve ERV were independent predictors of SVR. The RVR and histological stage of liver disease were not included in the multivariate analysis because these data were not available in most of the patients. The PPV and NVP of RVR were 91.5% and 48.7% respectively, of EVR were 83.8% and 95.8% respectively and of complete EVR were 91.3% and 78.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The SVR was higher than in other studies. The genotype and EVR were independent factors to predict the effect of antiviral therapy. The EVR had a high NPV and the complete EVR a high PPV.

Tratamiento de la infección crónica por el virus de la hepatitis C. Factores predictores de respuesta / Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. A study of best predictors for response

Objetivo: Evaluar la respuesta virológica sostenida (RVS) y los factores predictores de la misma en los pacientes con infección crónica por el virus de la hepatitis C (VHC) tratados con peginterferón alfa-2a y ribavirina. Pacientes: Estudio retrospectivo de 272 pacientes naïve con infección crónica por el VHC tratados durante 24 ó 48 semanas y con seguimiento durante 24 semanas después de retirar el tratamiento. Resultados: De los 272 pacientes, 243 completaron el tratamiento. La RVS en el análisis por intención de tratar fue del 66,5%, y en pacientes tratados 74,5%. En el análisis univariado, la RVS fue mayor en menores de 40 años (84,4%), con carga viral pretratamiento <500.000 UI/ml (86,9%), genotipo no-1 (86,4%), no cirróticos ni precirróticos (76,5%), con respuesta virológica rápida (RVR) (91,4%) y con respuesta virológica precoz (RVP) (83,8%) (p<0.01). El análisis multivariado mostró que solo el genotipo y la RVP influyeron en la RVS. La RVR y el grado de lesión hepática no se incluyeron en el análisis multivariado porque no se dispuso de estas variables en un alto número de pacientes. Los VPP y VPN de la RVR fueron 91,5% y 48,7% respectivamente, de la RVP 83,8% y 95,8% y de la RVP completa 91,3% y 78,7% respectivamente. Conclusiones: La RVS en nuestra serie fue mayor que en otros estudios. Los factores predictores de RVS fueron el genotipo y la RVP. La RVP presentó un alto VPN y la RVP completa un alto VPP(AU)

Objective: The aim of this study was evaluate the rate of sustained viral response (SVR) and the influence of different factors on the SVR in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection treated with pegylated interferon alfa 2a and ribavirin. Methods: We retrospectively analysed 272 naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C who had been treated for 24 weeks or 48 weeks and had been followed for an additional 6 months thereafter. Results: Out of 272 patients, 243 completed the entire treatment. The overall SVR rate in intent-to-treat analysis was 66.5% and in treated patients was 74.5%. In an univariate analysis, the SVR was associated with age <40 years (84.4%), pre-treatment viral load <500.000 IU/ml (86.9%), non-1 genotype HCV (86.4%), non cirrhosis or pre-cirrhosis (76.5%), rapid virologic response (RVR) (91.4%) and early virologic response (EVR) (83.8%). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of an infection caused by a non-1 genotype and to achieve ERV were independent predictors of SVR. The RVR and histological stage of liver disease were not included in the multivariate analysis because these data were not available in most of the patients. The PPV and NVP of RVR were 91.5% and 48.7% respectively, of EVR were 83.8% and 95.8% respectively and of complete EVR were 91.3% and 78.7%, respectively. Conclusions: The SVR was higher than in other studies. The genotype and EVR were independent factors to predict the effect of antiviral therapy. The EVR had a high NPV and the complete EVR a high PPV(AU)