Danazol one Month Treatment of Thrombocytopenia in Chronic Hepatitis C

Thrombocytopenia is frequently observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus. Moderate and severe thrombocytopenia (<75,000/mm3) may interfere with diagnostic or therapeutic elective procedures and can be a limiting factor when considering these interventions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of one month Danazol treatment for increasing and maintaining platelet levels in chronic hepatitis C virus patients associated with thrombocytopenia. 48 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus and platelet levels less than 75000/mm3 were included. Danazol was given in conventional dose 400 mg (200 mg bid) per oral after meal for one month, the monitoring of platelet levels was performed during treatment, at the end of treatment and at three months after the end of treatment. After one month with Danazol treatment the mean platelet levels increased significantly from 60400 + 11100/mm3 to a level of 90700 + 31400/mm3. Danazol increased the platelet levels of 33 (68.8%) patients more than 75000/mm3 and 5 (10.4%) patients had an increase in platelet levels but did not exceed 75,000/mm3, while in 10 (20.8%) patients platelet levels declined and considered unresponsive to Danazol. The percentage of patients with moderate thrombocytopenia (50000 to 75000/mm3) decreased significantly from 83.3% to 20.8% after Danazol treatment. Danazol one month treatment is effective for increasing and maintaining platelet levels and can be considered a treatment option for thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C virus.