Citation

Siddiq M, Hussain S, Azam N. J. Coll. Physicians Surg. Pak. 2002; 12(11): 696-699.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the spectrum of side effects of combination therapy (interferon and ribavarin) while treating chronic hepatitis due to HCV infection.

DESIGN: An observational descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Military Hospital (MH), Rawalpindi from June, 2000 to May, 2001.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Non-cirrhotic HCV infected patients, started on combination therapy were interviewed for various side effects experienced. Monitoring for anaemia, thrombocytopenia and leukopenia was done regularly while other tests like thyroid function were done if clinical examination so demanded. The side effects were rated on a scale of 0-10 with 0-4 being mild, 5-7 moderate, 8-10 being severe and grouped as very common >30%, common 2-30% and un-common <2%.

RESULTS: The most common side effects were fever 88.23%, depression 50.98%, myalgias 45.09%, insomnia 45.09% whereas arthralgias, pruritis and pharyngitis were 39.21%, while anorexia and nausea were 33.33%. Uncommon effects were suicidal tendency and thyroditis (though both were severe) besides tinnitis and erythema at injection site. Severe adverse effects noted with the combination therapy were suicidal tendency and thyroiditis.

CONCLUSION: The quality of life of patients was not good during treatment due to adverse effects experienced but improved through the treatment and thereafter. After treatment almost all side effects disappeared. Close monitoring during treatment could prevent a lot of physical and mental harm to the patients.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; anemia; anorexia; arthralgia; article; clinical examination; clinical observation; Combination therapy; controlled study; depression; disease severity; erythema; female; fever; flu like syndrome; gastrointestinal symptom; hepatitis C; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C virus; human; hyperthyroidism; injection site; insomnia; interferon; interview; leukopenia; lymphocytosis; major clinical study; male; myalgia; nausea; neurotoxicity; Pakistan; patient monitoring; pharyngitis; pruritus; quality of life; rating scale; respiratory tract disease; ribavirin; Side effects; Suicide; suicide attempt; thrombocytopenia; Thyroditis; thyroid function test; thyroiditis; tinnitus