TY - JOUR
T1 - Meta-analysis
T2 - Interferon for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in dialysis patients
AU - Fabrizi, F.
AU - Dulai, G.
AU - Dixit, V.
AU - Bunnapradist, S.
AU - Martin, P.
PY - 2003/12
Y1 - 2003/12
N2 - Background: The efficacy of interferon monotherapy in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C remains unclear, although a number of small clinical trials have been published addressing this issue. Methods and aims: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of initial interferon monotherapy in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical trials. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (as a measure of efficacy); the secondary outcome was drop-out rate (as a measure of tolerability). We used the random effects model of Der Simonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. Results: We have identified 14 clinical trials (269 unique patients); two were controlled studies. The mean overall estimate for sustained virological response (SVR) and drop-out rate was 37% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28-48] and 17% (95% CI 10-28), respectively. The most frequent side-effects requiring interruption of treatment were flu-like symptoms (17%), neurological (21%) and gastrointestinal (18%). The overall weighted estimate for SVR in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 was 30.6% (95% CI 20.9-48). In the sub-group of clinical trials (n = 5) with standard interferon administration (3 million units [MUI] thrice weekly, subcutaneous route, 24-week treatment), the overall mean estimate of SVR was 39% (95% CI 25-56). The studies were heterogeneous with regard to SVR and drop-out rate. Conclusions: Tolerance to initial interferon monotherapy was lower in dialysis than nonuremic patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, more than one-third of haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C have been successfully treated with interferon. Longer duration of interferon monotherapy does not appear to have a beneficial effect on the response rate. Further studies are warranted to define the optimal anti-viral regimen for chronic hepatitis C in dialysis population.
AB - Background: The efficacy of interferon monotherapy in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C remains unclear, although a number of small clinical trials have been published addressing this issue. Methods and aims: We evaluated the efficacy and safety of initial interferon monotherapy in dialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C by performing a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical trials. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (as a measure of efficacy); the secondary outcome was drop-out rate (as a measure of tolerability). We used the random effects model of Der Simonian and Laird, with heterogeneity and sensitivity analyses. Results: We have identified 14 clinical trials (269 unique patients); two were controlled studies. The mean overall estimate for sustained virological response (SVR) and drop-out rate was 37% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28-48] and 17% (95% CI 10-28), respectively. The most frequent side-effects requiring interruption of treatment were flu-like symptoms (17%), neurological (21%) and gastrointestinal (18%). The overall weighted estimate for SVR in patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 was 30.6% (95% CI 20.9-48). In the sub-group of clinical trials (n = 5) with standard interferon administration (3 million units [MUI] thrice weekly, subcutaneous route, 24-week treatment), the overall mean estimate of SVR was 39% (95% CI 25-56). The studies were heterogeneous with regard to SVR and drop-out rate. Conclusions: Tolerance to initial interferon monotherapy was lower in dialysis than nonuremic patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, more than one-third of haemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C have been successfully treated with interferon. Longer duration of interferon monotherapy does not appear to have a beneficial effect on the response rate. Further studies are warranted to define the optimal anti-viral regimen for chronic hepatitis C in dialysis population.
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U2 - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01780.x
DO - 10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01780.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 14653826
AN - SCOPUS:0347694845
VL - 18
SP - 1071
EP - 1081
JO - Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
JF - Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics
SN - 0269-2813
IS - 11-12
ER -