Gut Liver.
2012 Jan;6(1):98-106.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Peginterferon Alpha Plus Ribavirin in the Routine Daily Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients in Korea: A Multi-Center, Retrospective Observational Study
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
- 2Department of Internal Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
- 3Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Bucheon, Korea.
- 5Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon University Gil Medical Center, Incheon, Korea.
- 7Department of Internal Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
- 8Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea.
- 9Department of Gastroenterology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
- 10Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea. cpk@hallym.or.kr
- 11Hepatology Center, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Daejin Medical Center, Seongnam, Korea.
- 12Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
- 13Department of Internal Medicine, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
- 14Department of Internal Medicine, Guri Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Guri, Korea.
- 15Department of Internal Medicine, St.Vincent Hospital, The Catholic University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
- 16Department of Occupational Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea.
- 17KIPECT Study Group, Korea.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of peginterferon plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients under real life setting in Korea.
METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 758 CHC patients treated with peginterferon plus ribavirin between 2000 and 2008 from 14 university hospitals in the Gyeonggi-Incheon area in Korea.
RESULTS
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 was detected in 61.2% of patients, while genotype 2 was detected in 35.5%. Baseline HCV RNA level was > or =6x10(5) IU/mL in 51.6% of patients. The sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 59.6% regardless of genotype; 53.6% in genotype 1 and 71.4% in genotype 2/3. On multivariate analysis, male gender (p=0.011), early virological response (p<0.001), genotype 2/3 (p<0.001), HCV RNA <6x10(5) IU/mL (p=0.005) and adherence to the drug >80% of the planned dose (p<0.001) were associated with SVR. The rate of premature discontinuation was 35.7%. The main reason for withdrawal was intolerance to the drug due to common adverse events or cytopenia (48.2%).
CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the efficacy of peginterferon and ribavirin therapy in Koreans is better in Koreans than in Caucasians for the treatment of CHC, corroborating previous studies that have shown the superior therapeutic efficacy of this regimen in Asians.
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