Interferon alfa plus ribavirin combination therapy benefits patients with chronic hepatitis C

Interferon alfa plus ribavirin has a significant beneficial effect on the virological and histological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C, irrespective of previous treatment. Kjaergaard and colleagues (p 1151) conducted a systematic review of randomised trials comparing interferon alfa plus ribavirin combination therapy with interferon alfa. Compared with interferon, combination therapy reduced by 26% the risk of not having a sustained virological response for six months in naive patients, 33% in patients with relapse, and 11% in non-responders. However, none of the trials was designed to show whether treatment has an effect on morbidity or mortality.


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Relevant Article

Interferon alfa with or without ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C: systematic review of randomised trials
Lise L Kjaergard, Kim Krogsgaard, and Christian Gluud
BMJ 2001 323: 1151-1155. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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