How sustained is sustained viral response in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Abstract
Background Sustained virological response (SVR) is achieved in a high proportion of patientswith chronic hepatitis C infection, particularly those with genotype 2 or 3 HCV infection. However, data on long-term durability of virological response in patients who achieve SVR are limited. Aim To evaluate the long-term durability of virological response in patients who have achieved SVR with interferon-based combination therapy. Methods One hundred patients with chronic HCV infection who had obtained SVR after IFN and ribavirin combination therapy were followed up for up to 8 years with annual HCV RNA testing. Results During a followed up of 6 months to 8 years, 8 of 100 patients with initial SVR developed late relapse of HCV infection. Relapse was more common in patients who had cirrhosis (5/28 [18%] vs. (3/72 [4%] with no cirrhosis; p=0.037). Conclusion SVR is durable in most patients, but some patients do have late relapse; long term follow up may be particularly important in a subset of patients with HCV infection who have liver cirrhosis.
Description
Keywords
Hepatocellular carcinoma, Pegylated interferon, Sustained viral response
Citation
Sood Ajit, Midha Vandana, Mehta Varun, Sharma Sarit, Mittal Rasham, Thara Amandeep, Sood Neena, Kaur Amarjeet. How sustained is sustained viral response in patients with hepatitis C virus infection. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2010 May-Jun; 29(3): 112-115.