Publication
Swiss multicenter study evaluating the efficacy, feasibility and safety of peginterferon-alfa-2a and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C in official opiate substitution programs
Journal Paper/Review - Jan 1, 2008
Fried Ronald, Frei Markus, Schönbucher Peter, Kölliker Christoph, Broers Barbara, Isler Marc, Herold Markus, Schmid Patrick, Oppliger Robert, Seidenberg André, Monnat Martine, Huber Milo
Units
PubMed
Doi
Citation
Type
Journal
Publication Date
Issn Electronic
Pages
Brief description/objective
BACKGROUND: Though patients in opiate substitution programs are commonly infected with HCV, due to safety and efficacy concerns, they are rarely treated with interferon and ribavirin. METHODS: In a multicenter study, HCV-infected patients in opiate maintenance treatment programs received 180 microg pegylated interferon-alfa-2a once weekly, plus daily ribavirin for 24 weeks (genotypes 2, 3), or 48 weeks (genotypes 1, 4). RESULTS: Of the 67 patients enrolled, 31 (46%) had HCV genotypes 1 or 4, and 36 (54%) had genotypes 2 or 3. Intent-to-treat analysis showed end-of-treatment virologic response in 75% of patients (81% of genotypes 2 or 3; 65% of genotypes 1 or 4), and a sustained virologic response in 61% of patients (72% of genotypes 2 or 3; 48% of genotypes 1 or 4). Fifteen patients (22%) did not complete the study, in 5 (8%) cases because of severe adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Drug users with chronic HCV infection, regularly attending an opiate maintenance program in which close collaboration between hepatologists/internists and addiction specialists is assured, can be treated effectively and safely with pegylated interferon-alfa-2a and ribavirin. Treatment results are very similar to those in other patient groups, and thus therapy should also be considered for this population.