[Interferon treatment of HCV-correlated active chronic hepatitis and hepatic cirrhosis: personal experience].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

IFN therapy is the only method of treating HCV-correlated active chronic hepatitis given that Ribavirin is still undergoing clinical trials.

METHODS:

A total of 166 patients received treatment: 73 (aged <50 years) with active chronic hepatitis and 45 (aged <50) with CHILD hepatic cirrhosis; 24 patients were used as a control group. The first group was treated with alpha-IFN and the second with beta-IFN.

RESULTS:

The complete response was evaluated at 12 months and the sustained response at 18 months using chi2 according to Yates. Highly significant results (p<0.001) were obtained in the two groups compared to controls, but no statistically significant differences were observed between the various alpha-IFN subgroups. Treatment with alpha-IFN and beta-IFN was effective in reducing indices of cytolysis and viral activities.

CONCLUSIONS:

IFN treatment positively alters the hepatic histological evolution: the authors affirm that even in advanced cases of chronic liver disease, treatment with IFN may slow down the natural evolution of the disease.

• Authors: M Spina, D Cioffi, A Ebreo
• Journal: Minerva gastroenterologica e dietologica (Minerva Gastroenterol Dietol) Vol. 44 Issue 2 Pg. 117-20 (Jun 1998) ISSN: 1121-421X [Print] Italy
• Vernacular Title: La nostra esperienza nel trattamento con interferone dell'epatite cronica attiva e della cirrosi epatica HCV correlate.
• PMID: 16495892 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)