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A Protocol for Analyzing Hepatitis C Virus Replication
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Treatment of chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 with alpha-interferon in Saudi Arabia: a multicenter study

F Z al-Faleh1, F Sbeih, M al-Karawi

  • 1Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Hepato-Gastroenterology
|June 25, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Liver cirrhosis significantly impacts alpha-interferon treatment response in chronic hepatitis C patients. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 did not affect treatment outcomes in this Arab population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) treatment response is influenced by factors like gender, infection duration, cirrhosis, and HCV genotype.
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 is prevalent in many Middle Eastern and North African populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate predictive factors for alpha-interferon treatment response in Saudi and Arab patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.
  • To assess the efficacy of alpha-interferon in a cohort of Arab patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.

Main Methods:

  • A multicenter study involving 80 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4.
  • Patients were prospectively recruited between 1992 and 1994 and randomized into treatment and control groups.

Main Results:

  • The overall response rate to alpha-interferon was low at 43%, with only 28% achieving a complete response.
  • Sustained virologic response was achieved in a mere 16% of patients.
  • High rates of cirrhosis (80%) and long infection intervals in community-acquired HCV cases contributed to the low response rate.

Conclusions:

  • Liver cirrhosis emerged as the primary factor predicting a poor response to interferon therapy.
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 was not found to be a significant factor influencing treatment response rates.
Abstract

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