Indications and limitations for aged patients with chronic hepatitis C in pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy

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Indications and limitations for aged patients with chronic hepatitis C in

pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy

Journal of Hepatology, 04/05/2011 Clinical Article

Oze T et al. - Aged patients up to 65 years old(y.o) with genotype 1 and 70 y.o

with genotype 2 can be candidates for pegylated-interferon(Peg-IFN) plus

ribavirin therapy. The response-guided therapy can be applied for aged patients

with genotype 1.

Methods• 1040 naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C were reviewed.

• 240 (23%) over the age 65 y.o , were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b

plus ribavirin.

• Patients were assessed after being classified into five categories, according

to age.

Results• Discontinuance rate was higher for patients over 70 y.o (36%), the most

common reason being anemia.

• In the presence of genotype 1, the SVR rate was similar (42–46%) among

patients under 65 y.o. and declined (26–29%) among patients over 65 y.o.

• For patients over 65 y.o., being male (Odds ratio, OR, 3.5, p = 0.035) and EVR

(OR, 83.3, p <0.001) were significant factors for SVR, in multivariate analysis.

• Peg-IFN dose was related to EVR

• After EVR was attained, 76–86% of patients over 65 y.o. achieved SVR.

• SVR was not achieved if a 1-log decrease were not attained at week 4 and a

2-log decrease were not attained at week 8.

• In the presence of genotype 2, the SVR rate was similar (70–71%) among

patients under 70 y.o. and declined among patients over 70 y.o. (43%).

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http://www.mdlinx.com/gastroenterology/newsl-article.cfm/3549221/ZZ6806553679256\

39220014/?news_id=511 & newsdt=040511 & subspec_id=144

Indications and limitations for aged patients with chronic hepatitis C in

pegylated interferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin combination therapy

Journal of Hepatology, 04/05/2011 Clinical Article

Oze T et al. - Aged patients up to 65 years old(y.o) with genotype 1 and 70 y.o

with genotype 2 can be candidates for pegylated-interferon(Peg-IFN) plus

ribavirin therapy. The response-guided therapy can be applied for aged patients

with genotype 1.

Methods• 1040 naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C were reviewed.

• 240 (23%) over the age 65 y.o , were treated with pegylated interferon alfa-2b

plus ribavirin.

• Patients were assessed after being classified into five categories, according

to age.

Results• Discontinuance rate was higher for patients over 70 y.o (36%), the most

common reason being anemia.

• In the presence of genotype 1, the SVR rate was similar (42–46%) among

patients under 65 y.o. and declined (26–29%) among patients over 65 y.o.

• For patients over 65 y.o., being male (Odds ratio, OR, 3.5, p = 0.035) and EVR

(OR, 83.3, p <0.001) were significant factors for SVR, in multivariate analysis.

• Peg-IFN dose was related to EVR

• After EVR was attained, 76–86% of patients over 65 y.o. achieved SVR.

• SVR was not achieved if a 1-log decrease were not attained at week 4 and a

2-log decrease were not attained at week 8.

• In the presence of genotype 2, the SVR rate was similar (70–71%) among

patients under 70 y.o. and declined among patients over 70 y.o. (43%).