Korean J Hepatol.  2009 Sep;15(3):338-349. 10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.3.338.

Impact of adherence to peginterferon-ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients on achieving a sustained virologic response

• Jeong SW
• Kim JD
• Woo HY
• You CR
• Lee SW
• Song MJ
• Jang JW
• Bae SH
• Choi JY
• Yoon SK

• KMID: 1374962
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3350/kjhep.2009.15.3.338

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Various predictive factors for peginterferon alpha and ribavirin therapy in chronic hepatitis C have been reported, but the effect of adherence to therapy has not been established. We investigated how adherence affects the sustained virologic response (SVR).
METHODS
We analyzed 92 chronic hepatitis C patients receiving peginterferon alpha and ribavirin combination therapy. Patients were first identified as having either genotype 1 or genotype non-1 infection and then categorized into three groups according to their adherence to the treatment protocol: (1) patients who received > or =80% of the recommended dosage of both peginterferon alpha and ribavirin for > or =80% of the intended duration of therapy, (2) patients who received <60% of the recommended dosage of both peginterferon alpha and ribavirin for <60% of the intended duration of therapy, and (3) patients who were not included in either group 1 or 2.
RESULTS
The rates of early virologic response, end of treatment response, and SVR differed significantly with the degree of adherence to the treatment. The SVRs of genotype 1 patients were 86.7%, 26.7%, and 66.7% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P=0.003), and those of genotype non-1 were 100%, 16.7%, and 88.9%, respectively (P<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
Adherence to therapy is a key factor in achieving an SVR. Supportive strategies to improve adherence will increase overall SVR rates.

Keyword

Hepatitis C; Peginterferon alpha; Ribavirin; Medication adherence; Virologic response

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Antiviral Agents/*therapeutic use
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Genotype
Hepatitis C, Chronic/*drug therapy
Humans
Interferon Alfa-2a/*therapeutic use
Interferon Alfa-2b/*therapeutic use
Male
Middle Aged
*Patient Compliance
Polyethylene Glycols/*therapeutic use
RNA, Viral/analysis
Ribavirin/*therapeutic use
Treatment Outcome