Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Apr 14, 2008; 14(14): 2218-2221
Published online Apr 14, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.2218
Sustained virological response based on rapid virological response in genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C treated with standard interferon in the Pakistani population
Bader Faiyaz Zuberi, Faisal Faiyaz Zuberi, Sajjad Ali Memon, Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi, Sheikh Zafar Ali, Salahuddin Afsar
Bader Faiyaz Zuberi, Sajjad Ali Memon, Muhammad Hafeez Qureshi, Sheikh Zafar Ali, Salahuddin Afsar, Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi 74000, Pakistan
Faisal Faiyaz Zuberi, Nehal Hospital, Malir, Karachi 74900, Pakistan
Author contributions: Zuberi BF and Zuberi FF designed the study, did statistical analysis and wrote manuscript; Memon SA, Qureshi MH and Ali SZ did data collection and computer entry; Afsar S revised the manuscript and planned the study.
Correspondence to: Dr. Bader Faiyaz Zuberi, Department of Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Karachi 74000, Pakistan. bader@zuberi.biz
Telephone: +92-300-8234883
Fax: +92-21-5206147
Received: October 3, 2007
Revised: December 11, 2007
Published online: April 14, 2008
Abstract

AIM: To document the sustained virological response (SVR) in rapid virological responders (RVR) of genotype-3 chronic hepatitis C with standard interferon (SdIF).

METHODS: Hepatitis C genotype-3 patients during the period July 2006 and June 2007 were included. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time, ALT, albumin, qualitative HCV RNA were done. SdIF and ribavirin were given for 4 wk and qualitative HCV RNA was repeated. Those testing negative were allocated to group-A while the rest were allocated to group-B. Treatment was continued a total of 16 and 24 wk for group A and B respectively. HCV RNA was repeated after 24 wk of treatment. End virological and sustained virological responses were compared by χ2 test. ROC of pretreatment age, ALT and albumin were plotted for failure to achieve SVR.

RESULTS: Of 74 patients treated, RCV RNA after 16 wk of therapy became undetectable in 34 (45.9%) and was detectable in 40 (54.1%) and were allocated to groups A and B respectively. SVR was achieved in 58.8% and 27.8% in groups A and B respectively. SVR rates were significantly higher in patients who had RVR as compared to those who did not (P = 0.0; γ = 2). Both groups combined ETR and SVR were 70% and 33% respectively. ROC plots of pretreatment age, ALT and albumin for SVR showed only ALT to have a significantly large area under the curve.

CONCLUSION: SVR rates were higher in patients who had RVR with SdIF and high pre treatment ALT values correlated to probability of having RVR.

Keywords: Hepatitis C, Sustained virological response, Rapid virological responders, Chronic hepatitis