Evaluation of the Results of Patients Treated By Pegylated Interferon Alpha Therapy

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis B infection is a serious health care problem in the world wide which has serious complications such as cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma. With the development of effective antiviral drugs, not only hepatitis B virus, but also the prevention and control of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma are provided. Nowadays, it can be used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B drugs are oral antiviral medication and pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN). The aim of this study to evaluate the response of Peg-IFN therapy and relapse rates. Materials and Methods: We evaluated 64 patients who have chronic active hepatitis B and treated with Peg-IFN-α and which reffered to our clinic in January 2006 and December 2013 retrospectively. Datas about patients has been recorded to SPSS 15.0 program. The frequency and relationships between parameters was evaluated with non parametric tests, Anova and Mann-Whitney U tests in the SPSS 15.0 program. Results: 23 women, 41 men’s total of 64 patients were included in the study. The average age of the patients was 44. Nineteen (30%) of patients with HBeAg positive, 45 (70%) to HBeAg negative. Treatment response were taken at 10 patients of 19 patients with HBeAg positivity and 34 patients of 45 patients with HBeAg negativity. A statistical difference between groups hasn’t been observed (p= 0.73). Peg-IFN-α2a were applied to 42 (65%) patients and Peg-IFN-α2b were applied to 22 (34%) patients. Treatment response was taken at 29 (69%) patients but it wasn’t obtained at 13 (31%) patients in Peg-IFN-α2a group. Treatment response was taken at 15 (68%) patients but it wasn’t obtained at 7 (32%) patients in Peg-IFN-α2b group. A statistical difference wasn’t observed in the comparison of statistical groups (p= 0.94). While recurrences hasn’t been found at the 34 patients (53%), the recurrence was observed 28(47%) patients after the end of the treatment. Recurrence has been observed at 17 patient which was treated with Peg-IFN-α2a and 11 patients which was treated with Peg-IFN-α2b. Conclusion: In conclusion; Peg-IFN’s which have Immunomodulatory and antiviral activity is preferred due to their term use in chronic hepatitis B patients. The purpose of the treatment is to be permanent at the viral supression. In our study, recurrence had been developed approximately half of our patients within a year after the end of therapy. This results supports that periodically viral load monitoring required even if provided permanent viral supression with Peg-IFN treatment. The studies with more patients group required about this topic