抄録
We compared the adverse events among the same patients with chronic hepatitis C who were treated with standard interferon (IFN) with no response and again treated with pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) combined with or without ribavirin (RIB), based on a questionnaire and blood count analysis. Patients were divided into four groups; standard IFN group, standard IFN+RIB group, PEG-IFN group, and PEG-IFN+RIB group. As a result, allergic reactions, such as itching, stomatitis, sneezing were much less seen in the standard IFN group, compared to PEG-IFN group. On the other hand, flu-like symptoms were more seen in the former than the latter. Hemoglobin and neutrophilic leukocyte counts significantly decreased until 16 weeks after starting the therapy in the groups with RIB than the groups without it. Platelet level significantly decreased at 2 weeks in the standard IFN+RIB group compared with PEG-IFN+RIB. As a whole, patients were satisfied with PEG-IFN therapy in view of visiting a doctor only once a week and its physical and mental easiness.
