Naslov
Pegylated interferon for treatment of chronic hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients in Croatia

Autori
Bašić-Jukić, Nikolina ; Gulin, Marijana ; Slaviček, Jasna ; Čorić-Martinović, Valentina ; Iskra, Bosiljka ; Rački, Sanjin ; Šain, Milenka ; Ostojić, Rajko ; Hrstić, Irena ; Ljutić, Dragan ; Vucelić, Boris ; Kes, Petar

Izvornik
Kidney & blood pressure research (1420-4096) 34 (2011), 1; 53-57

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
pegylated interferon; hepatitis C; hemodialysis

Sažetak
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a frequent complication among long-term dialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of pegylated interferon-α(2a) (PEG-IFN-α(2a)) treatment in hemodialysis patients. We retrospectively reviewed charts of 16 HCV-RNA-positive hemodialysis patients. There were 11 male and 5 female patients treated with dialysis for 6-28 years. Twelve patients had HCV genotype 1b, 2 patients had 3a, and 1 patient had genotype 2a. Although only 10 out of 16 patients completed 48 weeks of treatment, early virological response and end-of-treatment virological response were achieved in 9 and 13 patients, respectively. Sustained virological response was recorded in 9 patients. The most common side effect was anemia. A flu-like syndrome was documented in 6, myalgia in 4, and arthralgia in 5 patients. Rectorrhagia, endocarditis and severe cough were recorded in 1 patient each. Nine patients received a renal transplant, and all 6 responders remained HCV-RNA-negative. PEG-IFN-α(2a) has limited efficacy in dialysis patients. A significant proportion of patients discontinued treatment because of side effects. Additional studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the optimal treatment of HCV infection in the dialysis population.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA