Treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype IV with interferon-ribavirin combination in Saudi Arabia: a multicentre study.

Between 1996 and 1997, we conducted a multicentre study to assess the effect of combination therapy of interferon (IFN) + ribavirin on chronic hepatitis C genotype 4. Ninety-seven patients were enrolled. Sixty-eight patients (47 male and 21 female) were non-responders to previous therapy with IFN (Group I). Twenty-nine patients (19 male and 10 female) were new (Group II). Following treatment with IFN, 23% in Group I and 9% in Group II had a sustained biochemical response. Only 12% in Group I and 5% in Group II achieved a sustained virological response. Virus load was found to be the major factor determining response, followed by histology grading and staging. Like HCV genotype 1, HCV genotype 4 seems to have a poor response to therapy.