Supervised conventional interferon α2a in combination with ribavirin therapy is the preferred alternative for treatment of chronic hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE: To document the significant sustained virological response with supervised conventional interferon α and ribavirin therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients, this study was planned. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty chronic hepatitis C naive patients were included in this study. Complete blood counts, prothrombin time, ALT, AST, and qualitative HCV RNA were done. Conventional interferon (INF) α2a, 3MIU, S.C and ribavirin 1000 mg PO was given as supervised therapy for 24 weeks in genotype 3 and 48 weeks in genotype 1 and 4 HCV patients. Qualitative HCV RNA was repeated at 12 weeks, 24 weeks for HCV infections with genotype 1, 2, 3 and 4, at 48 weeks for genotype 1 and 4, and thereafter 6 months after completion of treatment. End virological and sustained virological responses were observed. RESULTS: Out of 60 patients, 55 completed the study. Five patients were lost to follow-up. Overall SVR was seen in 47 patients (85.4%) and 4 patients had relapses. CONCLUSION: Significant sustained virological response rates were seen in patients with supervised conventional INF α2a and ribavirin therapy.