Randomised trial of two different daily doses of interferon-α versus classical therapy in treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two different daily doses of interferon-α (lymphoblastoid-IFNα-N1, Wellferon®) [IFNα] for 2 months, followed by the same dose on alternate days for up to 1 year, versus administration on alternate days for 1 year. Patients and methods: A non-blind, randomised study of outpatients with chronic hepatitis C at five centres in Sicily, Italy. Ninety-seven consecutive treatment-naïve patients [72 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection] with histological chronic hepatitis C were included in the study and randomised to receive IFNα subcutaneously: 5 million international units (MIU) daily for 2 months, followed by the same…

Safety and efficacy of peginterferon alpha 2a plus mycofenolatemofetile and peginterferon alpha 2a plus Ribavirin in unresponsive patients with chronic hepatitis C

Post-anaesthesia pulmonary complications after use of muscle relaxants (POPULAR): a multicentre, prospective observational study

Background: Results from retrospective studies suggest that use of neuromuscular blocking agents during general anaesthesia might be linked to postoperative pulmonary complications. We therefore aimed to assess whether the use of neuromuscular blocking agents is associated with postoperative pulmonary complications. Methods: We did a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study. Patients were recruited from 211 hospitals in 28 European countries. We included patients (aged ≥18 years) who received general anaesthesia for any in-hospital procedure except cardiac surgery. Patient characteristics, surgical and anaesthetic details, and chart review at discharge were prospectively collecte…

Randomised Trial of Two Different Daily Doses of Interferon-α versus Classical Therapy in Treatment-Naïve Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.

To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two different daily doses of interferon-α (lymphoblastoid-IFNα-N1, Wellferon®) [IFNα] for 2 months, followed by the same dose on alternate days for up to 1 year, versus administration on alternate days for 1 year. A non-blind, randomised study of outpatients with chronic hepatitis C at five centres in Sicily, Italy. Ninety-seven consecutive treatment-naive patients [72 patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1b infection] with histological chronic hepatitis C were included in the study and randomised to receive IFNα subcutaneously: 5 million international units (MIU) daily for 2 months, followed by the same dose on alternate days for up to…