[Interferon alpha--treatment predictive response factors in group of adults patients with chronic hepatitis C]

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a serious clinical problem. Serious sequelae of the disease such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer warrant the search for efficacious therapeutic methods. It is assumed that some initial clinical and laboratory data may predict the therapeutic response. However, before they can be used in clinical practice, objective evaluation of their value is to be performed.

Aim of the study: Evaluation of IFN-alpha efficacy in treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Evaluation of factors predictive for results of treatment (therapeutic response) in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN alpha2b. Evaluation of cumulative prognostic value of the significant features.

Material and methods: Fifty four adult patients with chronic hepatitis C were treated with IFN-alpha for 6 months. Follow up was continued for 18 months after the end of treatment period. In the studied group, 19 clinical, biochemical and histologic features were the subjects of statistical analysis.

Results and conclusions: In 18.5% of patients the therapeutic response on IFN-alpha2b therapy was sustained, in 48.2% the response was transitory. In the remaining 33.3% of patients no therapeutic response were achieved. Discriminatory analysis revealed that duration of HCV infection, alcalic phosphatase activity in serum, histologic activity index, extensiveness of inflammation and biliary canaliculus proliferation in liver biopsy specimen before the IFN alpha2b treatment, are useful features predictive for the results of treatment. The cumulative prognostic value of these features in patients with chronic hepatitis C is 69%.