Long-term prognosis of chronic hepatitis C after treatment with interferon alpha 2b and characterization of incomplete responders.

OBJECTIVES: During the long-term follow-up of chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon alpha-2b, we have identified some patients who had continuous normalization, or transient elevation of the serum alanine aminotransferase levels within the first 6 months of follow-up and subsequent normalization, but HCV RNA was still found to be positive during the follow-up period (incomplete responder; ICR). We wished to clarify the characteristics of these patients, and to investigate the factors predictive of the response to interferon. METHODS: Seventy patients were treated with 6 MU of rIFN alpha-2b, three times weekly for 24 wk. Sixty-six patients (94%) completed the entire therapy and 2-yr follow-up protocol. RESULTS: Twenty-four months after cessation of IFN treatment, 24 patients (36%) were defined as complete responders (CR; continuously normal alanine aminotransferase levels, and HCV RNA negative). Nine patients (14%) were defined as ICR. Thirty-three patients (50%) were defined as nonresponders (NR). Compared with the CR or NR groups, the patients in the ICR group tended to have the mildest histological severity and lowest histological activity index scores, but there were no significant differences in any of the other histological features. The complete response rate was significantly higher in patients with low concentration of HCV RNA, and genotypes other than type II. CONCLUSIONS: After long-term follow-up of the 66 patients, 24 patients (36%) were CR, nine (14%) were ICR, and 33 (50%) were NR. The histological stage and indices of chronic hepatitis may help to predict a patient's response to IFN therapy.

[A 71-year-old woman with progressive gait disturbance and dementia].

We report a 71-year-old woman with progressive gait disturbance and dementia. The patient was well until 61 years of age (1980) when she noted a gradual onset of gait disturbance. A year later, she noted slurring of the speech and forgetfulness. In 1982, she noted difficulty in looking down and progression of her gait disturbance. In 1983, she became unable to walk alone unless supported. She was admitted to our service in 1984; neurological examination at that time revealed moderate dementia, limitation in the vertical gaze, slurred speech, and wide based ataxic gait. She was discharged for out patient follow up. Cranial CT scan in 1989 revealed cortical, brain stem, and cerebellar atrophies. On March 10, 1990, she fell down and hit her head. She developed headache on April 1, vomited on April 8, and was admitted to our service again. On admission, she was somnolent, she was unable to follow an object to any direction; oculocephalic response was elicited to horizontal directions, however, it was difficult to induce in the vertical direction. Rigidity was noted in the extremities except in the left lower extremity. Rapid alternating movement was difficult and dysmetria was noted in the finger-to nose test. Deep reflexes were exaggerated without clonus; the plantar response was extensor bilaterally. Cranial CT scan revealed bilateral subdural hematoma. She was treated with intravenous infusion of glycerol, and she became alert after this treatment; however, she was markedly demented. She was unable to walk alone. She was discharged to home, but she showed progressive loss of activities, and became bed ridden in December 1992. In January of 1993, she developed fever, dyspnea, and disturbance of consciousness, and was admitted again on January 26, 1993. On admission, her blood pressure was 70 mmHg by palpation and body temperature 38.5 degrees C. The lungs were clear. On neurologic examination, she was semicomatose; the optic fundi were unremarkable; only incomplete eye movements elicited by the oculocephalic reflex. She was passive supine in position; some spontaneous movements were observed in the extremities. Lead-pipe rigidity was noted in both upper extremities, but the muscle tone was decreased in the lower extremities. No abnormal involuntary movements were seen. Deep reflexes were exaggerated except for the ankle jerk which was diminished bilaterally. The plantar response was extensor on both sides.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)