Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2010 Aug 9;4(4):732-40.
doi: 10.1007/s12072-010-9208-0.

Comparison of adverse effects related to pegylated interferon-based therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan

Jeng-Fu Yang, Yi-Hui Kao, Chia-Yen Dai, Jee-Fu Huang, Ming-Yen Hsieh, Zu-Yau Lin, Shinn-Cherng Chen, Ming-Yuh Hsieh, Liang-Yen Wang, Wan-Long Chuang, Ming-Lung Yu

Comparison of adverse effects related to pegylated interferon-based therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan

Jeng-Fu Yang et al. Hepatol Int. .

Abstract

Purpose: Pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)-based therapy is effective in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC) but frequently induces adverse events (AEs). This study was conducted to compare the incidence of Peg-IFN-based therapy-associated AEs in Taiwanese patients with CHB and CHC.

Methods: Fifty-six patients with CHB and 103 age-, sex- and treatment duration-matched patients with CHC were enrolled. Patients with CHB were treated with Peg-IFN-α-2a 180 μg/week for 24 weeks (HBeAg(+), n = 31) or 48 weeks (HBeAg(-), n = 25); patients with CHC were treated with Peg-IFN-α-2a 180 μg/week plus ribavirin 1,000-1,200 mg/day for 24 weeks (genotype 2/3, n = 57) or 48 weeks (genotype 1, n = 46).

Results: Significantly higher incidences of Peg-IFN-related AEs, especially neuropsychiatric symptoms, and ribavirin-associated skin manifestations were observed in patients with CHC compared with those with CHB, with either the 24- or 48-week regimen. Frequencies of laboratory abnormalities, except for anemia, were comparable in both groups. Neither group showed overt hepatic decompensation. Frequency of dose reduction was similar between the groups. Substantially higher rates of early termination and severe AEs were observed in patients with CHC.

Conclusions: Patients with CHB treated with Peg-IFN had fewer AEs than patients with CHC treated with Peg-IFN/ribavirin. All patients were treated safely.

Keywords: Adverse events (AEs); CHB; CHC; Peg-IFN-based therapy; Safety profile.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Cumulative rates of neuropsychiatric events in patients with CHB and CHC with either the 24- or 48-week regimen
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cumulative rates of skin manifestations and breathlessness in patients with CHB and CHC with either the 24- or 48-week regimen
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Lee WM. Hepatitis B virus infection. N Engl J Med. 1997;337:1733–1745. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199712113372406. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Manns MP, McHutchison JG, Gordon SC, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin compared with interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin for initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C: a randomised trial. Lancet. 2001;358:958–965. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(01)06102-5. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Jacobson IM, Brown RS, Jr, Freilich B, et al. Peginterferon alfa-2b and weight-based or flat-dose ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients: a randomized trial. Hepatology. 2007;46:971–981. doi: 10.1002/hep.21932. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Marco V, Almasio PL, Ferraro D, et al. Peg-interferon alone or combined with ribavirin in HCV cirrhosis with portal hypertension: a randomized controlled trial. J Hepatol. 2007;47:484–491. - PubMed
    1. Abergel A, Hezode C, Leroy V, et al. Peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin for treatment of chronic hepatitis C with severe fibrosis: a multicentre randomized controlled trial comparing two doses of peginterferon alpha-2b. J Viral Hepat. 2006;13:811–820. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2006.00768.x. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources