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Safety and effectiveness of response-guided therapy using pegylated interferon and ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C virus infection in patients on maintenance dialysis.
- Source :
- Nephrology; Sep2017, Vol. 22 Issue 9, p706-711, 6p
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Aim Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) is difficult. Addition of ribavirin to pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) may help to improve the treatment response. Further, treatment duration could be shortened using a response-guided treatment (RGT) approach. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of treatment-naïve adult patients with ESRD and chronic HCV infection who had been treated with Peg-IFN and low-dose ribavirin using a RGT approach. Rapid responders (undetectable HCV-RNA at 4 weeks) received treatment for 12 weeks, and slow responders (HCV-RNA detectable at 4 weeks, but undetectable or with >2.0 log<subscript>10</subscript> reduction at week 12) for 24 (genotype 3; GT3) or 48 (genotype 1; GT1) weeks. In those without such reduction (null responders), treatment was discontinued. Results Of 26 non-cirrhotic patients (GT1 15, GT3 11) treated, four (15%; GT1 3, GT3 1) were null responders. Twenty-two (85%) patients had either rapid ( n = 14 (54%); GT1 10, GT3 4) or slow response ( n = 8 (31%); GT1 2, GT3 6). Of them, 21 patients had undetectable RNA at the end of treatment; one could not complete the treatment and was lost thereafter. There were no deaths during treatment. Three patients relapsed and three others died in 6 months after stopping treatment. Overall, 15/26 (58%) patients attained SVR24. Fourteen patients underwent transplantation beginning one month after treatment completion, and all were relapse-free after 17 (14-24) months of follow-up. Conclusion RGT using Peg-IFN and ribavirin was effective in ESRD patients on maintenance dialysis. Renal transplant was safely done within one month of completing such treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 13205358
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Nephrology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 124545482
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1111/nep.12833