[Evaluation of side effects of interferon-alpha in 72 patients treated for chronic active hepatitis C]

Interferon alfa (INF alpha), which is used in chronic active viral hepatitis, presents some safety problems. Side effects observed in 72 treated patients with chronic active hepatitis C are analysed in this retrospective study. Doses used were 3 or 9 M IU, three times a week, for 12 to 24 weeks. There were no contra-indications to the treatment and all patients had the factors predictive of a satisfactory therapeutic response. Apart from general debility, there were side effects in 65 of the 72 patients as follows: flu-like syndrome (n = 39), gastrointestinal (n = 29), dermatological (n = 24), haematological (n = 23), neurological (n = 20), cardiovascular (n = 6) and thyroid (n = 6) disorders. For 30 per cent of the patients, the dose was decreased (n = 6) or the treatment was withdrawn, temporarily (n = 5) or permanently (n = 10). These results are in accordance with those published and emphasize the need for clinico-biological monitoring during and after treatment. Indeed delayed thyroid disorders appear to be relatively common.