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TITLE:

FACTORS AFFECTING EARLY VIRAL LOAD DECLINE AMONG CHRONIC HEPATITIS C PATIENTS RECEIVING PEGYLATED INTERFERON PLUS RIBAVIRIN THERAPY

AUTHORS:

Shaista Ahmed, Firasat Waqar, Aisha Javed, Sadia Iqbal, Afshan Siddiqui, Muhammad Muneeb & Aatir H. Rajput

ABSTRACT:

This observational study was conducted upon a sample of 108 chronic HCV patients (chosen via non-probability – consecutive sampling) presenting to the Dept. of Medicine - Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi from February 5, 2018 to August 31, 2018. As per the standard protocol, a dose of pegylated interferon-α2a was administered at week 1 and then weekly with daily oral ribavirin for 24 or 48 weeks. Genotyping and quantification of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA were done using molecular methods. Clinical and serological (viral load) data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and MS. Excel 2013. Out of 108 participants 71 were males and 37 were females, with a mean age of 38 years for males and 23 years for females. A total of 53 patients were infected with HCV genotype 1, 47 with genotype 2 and 8 with both genotypes 1 and 2. At the end of follow-up, 87 patients attained sustained virological response (SVR). After accounting for confounders, body mass index (BMI) and genotype were related to viral load decline at day 2, baseline viral load and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were correlated with viral load decline between days 2 and 28. Genotype, baseline viral load and BMI independently predicted rapid virological response. After careful consideration of the results, it can be concluded that HCV genotype, baseline viral load, pre-treatment BMI and HDL have a significant effect on early viral load decline of chronic HCV patients with interferon-based therapy. Keywords: Viral Load, HCV, Pegylated Interferon-α2a, Ribavarin and Sustained Viral Response.

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