| Treatment Response in Older Patients |
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Wednesday, 02 December 2009 15:10
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The investigators found that patients older than 50 years had a significantly lower sustained virological response (SVR) rate 24 weeks after completing therapy compared with those age 50 or younger (39% vs. 52%, respectively; P = 0.0073). However, older patients who achieved rapid virological response (undetectable HCV RNA at week 4 of treatment) or complete early virological response (detectable HCV RNA at week 4 but < 50 IU/mL at week 12) had high SVR rates (83% and 61%, respectively). Overall, the older group had a significantly higher relapse rate compared with the younger patients (41% vs. 25%, respectively; P = 0.0042). Older patients were found to have lower cumulative pegylated interferon and ribavirin blood concentrations¾despite being prescribed the same doses¾and low drug levels predicted failure to achieve SVR. The researchers suggested that more frequent ribavirin dose reductions among the older patients likely contributed to the higher relapse rate. Higher baseline viral load, lower ALT ratio, and liver cirrhosis also predicted poorer response in older patients. http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsRev ... .11.html#3 Add this page to your favourite Social Bookmarking websites;         
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