Frequency of anemia and its association with outcome (sustained virological response) in patients of chronic hepatitis C Geno 3, treated with standard interferon alpha 2a and ribavirin
Journal Title: Pakistan Journal of Pharmacology - Year 2012, Vol 29, Issue 2
Abstract
Chronic Hepatitis C is one of the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally. The past two decades have seen many advances in Hepatitis C treatment. Despite these advances side effects of treatment are common. Hematological complications of treatments can result in treatment cessation and suboptimal results We observed the development of haematological side effects chiefly anaemia and its effect on SVR in a cohort of 240 patients. The mean Haemoglobin at baseline was 13.2 gm, range 10.9-16, SD=0.8. At 6 months the mean Haemoglobin was 10.6 gm (7-11gm) SD=0.7. Clinically significant anaemia defined as haemoglobin of less than 10 gm/dl occurred in 56 % (n=134) of patients. Out of these 36% (n=48) were males and 64% (n=86) were females. More than 69 % of the total cohort (n=165 pts) experienced a drop of Hb of ≥ 3 gm/dl. Hemoglobin decreased by 2.8 gm at week 4 in 44% of patients and by 3.5 gm in 25% of patients at 3 months. A decrement in Hb of upto 2.9% was seen at the end of 6 months of treatment.The P value is < 0.05, this difference is considered to be statistically significant. Overall SVR was 71%. SVR rates in those who developed anaemia was 76% and in those who did not develop anaemia was 68%. The P value equals 0.5, this difference is considered to be not statistically significant. Anaemia is a frequent complication of interferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C and needs management with dose reduction and erythropoietin to optimize SVR. Erythropoietic agents are effective in treating anemia, preventing ribavirin dose reduction and improving patient’s quality of life.
Authors and Affiliations
Musarrat Iqbal, Akbar Waheed, Saleem Qureshi
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP98464
- DOI -
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Implication of age and gender on cardio toxicity in patients treated with two schedules of 5FU/LV
Cardio toxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents can interfere with the cumulative therapeutic benefit and debilitate the elderly with a comorbid burden. The cardio toxic potential of 5-FU based chemotherapy is known,...
Prevention of succinylcholine induced muscular effects by pretreatment with rocuronium
We have studied in 60 patients undergoing minor muscle cutting surgeries under general anesthesia, the effectiveness and sequelae of pretreatment with rocuronium for reducing muscular side effects after succinylcholine a...
Analgesic, antimicrobial and cytotoxic effect of Cyperus rotundus ethanol extract
In present study preliminary screening was carried on Cyperus routunds crude extract which showed the presence of tannins, sapanins, carbohydrate in colour reaction method while the alkaloids, protein and sterol were abs...
Role of leukotriene receptor antagonist in acute severe attack of bronchial asthma in comparison with conventional therapy
This study was designed to determine the role of leukotriene receptor antagonist in acute severe attack of bronchial asthma in comparison with conventional therapy. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease in both t...
[sup]Effect of combination of nigella sativa and Trigonella foenum-graecum with Glibenclamide on serum triglyceride, hdl and creatinine levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients[/sup]
To evaluate the effect of combination of Nigella sativa and Trigonella foenum-graecum seeds with Glibenclamide on serum triglyceride, HDL, and creatinine levels in type-2 diabetes mellitus patients. Diabetic outpatient c...