[Interferon treatment of chronic viral hepatitis in Catalonia, Spain. Retrospective analysis]

To analyze the results of interferon treatment in chronic hepatitis B and C in Catalonia, Spain, during the first two years of the Assessment Board of the therapeutic use of interferon.

A retrospective analysis of the results of 2,142 applications for interferon treatment for chronic hepatitis B (n = 158) and C (n = 1,970) from January, 1993 to December, 1994 presented to the Interferon Assessment Board, was performed by the study of the data of the applications-questionnaires send by the applying physicians.

The global rate of response to the questionnaires was of 85%. For chronic hepatitis C, three treatment schedules were evaluated included 936 cases out of the 1,931 authorizations. A sustained response was observed in 20% of the cases treated with 3 MU of interferon for 6 months, in 32% of those treated over 12 months and 20% of those treated with 5-6 MU of interferon for 6 months. The patients with chronic hepatitis B were divided into 2 groups in relation to the presence or absence of HBeAg. Of the 153 applications, 34 belonging to HBeAg positive patients and 52 anti-HBe positive patients who received interferon treatment at 5-10 MU three times per week for 4-6 months were evaluated. Sustained response was observed in 44% of the chronic hepatitis HBeAg positive cases and in 25% of the anti-HBe cases treated. In general, response to treatment was higher in females and in those subjects under the age of 40 years than in male and in older subjects. No differences were observed in the response among the different types of interferon. Withdrawal from treatment due to adverse effects or because of the patient's wish was similar among the patients with chronic hepatitis B (5%) and C (3%), being higher in those undergoing treatment for a longer period of time.

The data obtained from the Interferon Assessment Board for the treatment of viral hepatitis demonstrates the use of very variable schedules of this drug, especially in chronic 85% and complete evaluation was achieved in 54% of the chronic hepatitis B and in 48% of the cases of chronic hepatitis C.