Official publication of Rawalpindi Medical University
Hematological Side Effects During Combination Therapy With Interferon and Ribavirin In Chronic Hepatitis C
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How to Cite

1.
 Komal Owais, Fahad Saeed, Faisal Moin, Shazia Yasir, Mahmud Z Jilani, Ejaz Ahmed Vohra. Hematological Side Effects During Combination Therapy With Interferon and Ribavirin In Chronic Hepatitis C. JRMC [Internet]. 2015 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];19(2). Available from: https://journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/287

Abstract

Background :To determine the frequency of hematological side effects (anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia) during combination therapy with interferon and ribavirin in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Methods: In this cross sectional study 228 patients of chronic HCVwere included. Patients were given injection IFN 3 MIU subcutaneously thrice weekly and ribavirin 800 – 1200 mg/day orally. Haematological profile was performed in all these patients at weeks 4,12 and 24. Patients who required dose reduction or discontinuation of drug were excluded form the study
Results: Overall mean age was 39.6 (±9.2) years with male to female ratio of 2.2: 1. Haematological abnormalities were seen in 37.3%. Anaemia (19.3%) was the commonest haematological abnormality followed by neutropenia(15.6%) and thrombocytopenia (9.9%). Multiple side effects were seen in 38.5%.
Conclusion: Amongst the haematological disorders anemia and thrombocytopenia were the most common and least common respectively during the combination therapy of chronic hepatitis C. while neutropenia followed as second common serious haematological disorder.

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