Objective: We aimed to evaluate the response to interferon treatment, factors affecting permanent response, and recurrence in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).

Methods: This retrospective study included 305 patients with CHC. They received either pegylated interferon alfa-2A (PEG IFNα-2A) + ribavirin (RIB) treatment or pegylated interferon alfa-2B (PEG IFNα-2B) + RIB treatment for 48 weeks.

Results: At the 48th week of treatment, hepatitis C virus ribonucleic acid (HCV RNA) clearance was seen in 151 (49.5%) of the 305 patients as end-of-treatment response (ETR). ETR was observed in 70 (50.7%) patients treated with PEG IFNα-2A + RIB and in 81 (48.5%) patients treated with PEG IFNα-2B + RIB (p>0.05). After 6 months of treatment, sustained virological response (SVR) was observed in 138 (45.2%) patients. SVR was observed in 63 (45.7%) patients treated with PEG IFNα-2A+RIB and in 75 (45.9%) patients treated with PEG IFNα-2B+RIB (p>0.05). After treatment, recurrence occurred in 35 (11.6%) patients.

Conclusion: The long-term prognosis of CHC infection is positively affected by the treatment regimen. PEG IFNα-2A + RIB and PEG IFNα-2B + RIB treatment regimens have not yet increased HCV RNA clearance to the desired level. Thus, new treatment regimens are required.

How to cite: Balkan A, Batı O, Metin T, Gülşen MT. Efficacy of regimens containing pegylated interferon and ribavirin in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C: A retrospective overview. Eur J Ther 2017; 23: 173-9.