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[Interferon-alpha and ribavirin therapy on chronic hepatitis C virus infection: the experience of Rio Grande do Sul State Health Department, Brazil].

BACKGROUND
Chronic infection by hepatitis C virus is an important public health issue.


AIMS
To assess the effectiveness of a combination therapy with interferon-alpha plus ribavirin and to identify predictive factors of response in adult patients with chronic hepatitis C in a public drug supply program.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
A retrospective study of consecutive records of 400 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon-a plus ribavirin therapy, as part of a health program conducted by the Department of Health of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, southern Brazil, between 1999 and 2000, was carried out.


RESULTS
Sex distribution was similar, and the average age was 46.5 +/- 10.3 years. Response at the end of the treatment was observed in 49% of patients, and sustained response was observed in 32% of them. Sustained response was significantly higher in females and in patients infected by genotypes other than 1. We did not observe significant differences in terms of age or histological stage and activity score.


CONCLUSION
In adult patients with chronic hepatitis C, combination therapy with interferon-alpha plus ribavirin was effective in one third of patients. Higher rates of response were observed in women and in patients infected by genotypes other than 1.