Z Gastroenterol 2005; 43 - 157
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-869804

Association between efficacy of different therapeutic regimens and working ability in chronic hepatitis C infection

M Varga 1, K Csefkó 1
  • 1III. Dept. of Internal Medicine, Réthy P. Hospital, Békéscsaba

Background: In most cases chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection considerably deteriorates quality of life. Up-to-date therapy may result in permanent recovery, patients might stay active and remain functioning head of a family.

Objective: We retrospectively compared efficacy of different therapeutic regimens, and examined the assotiation between therapeutic efficacy and quality of life, social functioning, working ability, and physical activity in patients with chronic HCV infection.

Methods: Patients with chronic HCV infection treated between 1999–2004 in our department of hepatology (n=89; 39 female, 60 male; avarage age 45.78 yr) were examined. 70 patients received antiviral therapy for the first time, whilst 16 patients were hospitalized due to relapse of the disease. In the beginning interferon (INF) monotherapy, later INF combined with amantadine or ribavirine (RBV) was used. 26 patiens received pegylated INF alpha-2 (INFα2)/RBV combination. Using anonym questionnaire patients were asked about their working ability, number of days spent in sick-leave before, during and after therapy, quality of life, education, and changes in family life.

Results: 72 patients were treated for 48 week, 16 for 6 months, 11 patients are still receiving therapy. Permanent, complete or partial remission due to applied therapy occured in 12, 24 and 48 cases, whereas 5 patients proved to be non-responders. Accordig to our findings world-wide recommended pegylated INFα2/RBV therapy provided best efficacy. After pegylated INFα2/RBV therapy permanent, complete or partial remmission was deteced in 11.5, 57.7 and 30.8% of the patients. Despite the less favourable adverse event profile of INFα2/RBV therapy, workig ability of patients treated with this combination, and INF mono- or combination therapy was similar, but pegylated INFα2/RBV combination provided better long-term advantages.

Conclusion: Pegylated INFα2/RBV therapy provides best efficacy in patients with chronic HCV infection. Higher rate of permanent recovery and better working ability provides considerable socio-economic advantages. During INFα2/RBV therapy adverse event profile should be carefully monitored by hepatologists.