0000000001149209
AUTHOR
A. Iacobellis
Viral clearance in HCV viraemic patients with normal alanine aminotransferase after combination therapy: a controlled, open-labelled study
Summary Background : In patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection and persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels, liver fibrosis has been reported in 0–22% of cases and advanced liver disease in 5–10% of cases. Aim : To determine whether patients with persistently normal alanine aminotransferase levels clear infection after anti-viral therapy at equal or different rates from infected patients with raised alanine aminotransferase levels. Methods : Thirty-five hepatitis C virus RNA-positive patients with fibrosis at liver histology (Group 1) were matched for genotype, sex, age and histology with patients with raised alanine aminotransferase levels (Group 2). Both groups were …
Early discontinuation of ribavirin in HCV-2 and HCV-3 patients responding to Peg-interferon alpha-2a and ribavirin
Guidelines for the treatment of patients infected with hepatitis C virus of genotypes 2 and 3 (HCV-2 and HCV-3, respectively) recommend a 24-week course of Peg-interferon (Peg-IFN) alpha-2a combined with ribavirin, despite 50% of patients in registration trials attaining a sustained virologic response (SVR) following Peg-IFN alpha-2a monotherapy. The aim of this study was to delineate patient characteristics that might help to identify individuals likely to benefit from ribavirin discontinuation. One hundred and forty-four HCV-2- and HCV-3-infected patients initiated Peg-IFN alpha-2a (180 microg/week) and ribavirin (1000 or 1200 mg/day); those with viral clearance at week 4 were randomized …
Platelet count does not predict bleeding in cirrhotic patients: Results from the PRO-LIVER Study
OBJECTIVES: Thrombocytopenia is a hallmark for patients with cirrhosis and it is perceived as a risk factor for bleeding events. However, the relationship between platelet count and bleeding is still unclear. METHODS: We investigated the relationship between platelet count and major or clinical relevant nonmajor bleedings during a follow-up of â¼4 years. RESULTS: A total of 280 cirrhotic patients with different degrees of liver disease (67% males; age 64±37 years; 47% ChildâPugh B and C) were followed up for a median of 1,129 (interquartile range: 800â1,498) days yielding 953.12 patient-year of observation. The annual rate of any significant bleeding was 5.45%/year (3.57%/year and 1.8…