The follow-up results with sustained virologic response in chronic hepatitis C patients in Şanlıurfa/Turkey

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate sustained virological response (SVR) after treatment and factors that influence SVR among patients treated for chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Materials and methods: The study was conducted in patients with CHC between April 2007 and March 2011, who had achieved SVR following treatment. They were treated with PEG IFN-α and ribavirin. Patients, whose end of treatment responses were obtained without a SVR, received a second course of treatment. Results: A total of 124 patients, 61 female (49.2%) were enrolled in the study. The distribution of genotypes was: 102 patients with genotype 1 (82.3%) and 22 with genotype 2 (17.7%). SVR was achieved in 78 patients (62.9%) (67 during the first course and 11 in the second) were followed up for a mean duration of 18.4±8.5 months. Positive predictive factors on SVR were female gender (P=0.01), low initial viral load (P=0.01), early virological response (EVR) development (P<0.001) and infection with genotype 2 (P<0.001). Conclusions: In conclusion, there was no recurrence of HCV infection beyond follow-up of 24 months in any of the patients who obtained SVR. Female gender, low initial viral load, development of EVR and infection with genotype 2 was determined to have a positive impact on SVR. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2012; 2(1): 14-20