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- Title
Efficacy and safety of ribavirin plus pegylated interferon alfa in geriatric patients with chronic hepatitis C.
- Authors
Hu, C.‐C.; Lin, C.‐L.; Kuo, Y.‐L.; Chien, C.‐H.; Chen, S.‐W.; Yen, C.‐L.; Lin, C.‐Y.; Chien, R.‐N.
- Abstract
Background Limited data are available on the efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy in geriatric patients with chronic hepatitis C virus ( HCV) infection. Aim To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon (peg IFN) plus ribavirin ( RBV) therapy in geriatric HCV-infected patients. Methods Ninety-one geriatric patients (age ≥65 years; the elderly group) with HCV infection and 91 gender- and HCV genotype-matched middle-aged patients (age 50-64 years; the younger group) were assigned to receive weekly peg IFN injection plus weight-based oral RBV for 24 weeks. The on- and off-treatment virological responses were evaluated for treatment efficacy. Results In intention-to-treat analysis, the sustained virological response ( SVR) rate was substantially decreased in the elderly patients (elderly group vs. younger group, 40.7% vs. 61.5%, respectively; P = 0.005). The SVR rate was significantly lower in geriatric patients than in middle-aged patients with HCV genotype non-1 (54.3% vs. 82.9%; P = 0.01), but the difference was not significant with HCV genotype 1 (32.1% vs. 48.2%; P = 0.083). Furthermore, the older patients infected with HCV genotype non-1 who achieved a rapid virological response had a similar SVR rate to that of the younger patients. The withdrawal rate was 13.2% in the elderly group and 7.7% in the younger group. Conclusions Compared with middle-aged patients, the therapeutic efficacy of pegylated interferon plus ribavirin therapy is lower in hepatitis C virus-infected geriatric patients with an acceptable withdrawal rate. Considering prolonged lifespan in geriatric patients, we recommend treating geriatric hepatitis C virus-infected patients who have significant hepatic fibrosis and no other health problems.
- Subjects
DRUG efficacy; RIBAVIRIN; INTERFERONS; GERIATRICS; CHRONIC hepatitis C; DISEASES
- Publication
Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2013, Vol 37, Issue 1, p81
- ISSN
0269-2813
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/apt.12112