Serum Transaminases as a Predictor of Response to Combined Interferon and Ribavirin Therapy for Chronic HCV Infection Patients

Introduction: Chronic HCV infection is a major health problem both globally and at the national level. Combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin was considered the standard of care treatment for chronic HCV infection. Inspite of its significant side effects, response rate has been around 50%. Several factors including virus and host factors are reported to be correlated to therapeutic effects.Aim of Work: To determine contribution of serum transaminases in predicting early virological response to interferon-ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic HCV.Methods: 89 patients with chronic HCV receiving interferon-ribavirin therapy. All were subjected to thorough clinical, laboratory evaluation, liver biopsy. Comparing serum level of serum transaminases (ALT and AST) between responder and non-responders to therapy.Results: The responders to therapy had lower baseline of transaminases (ALT and AST) with statistically significant difference compared to the non-responders.Conclusion: Chronic HCV patients with lower levels of pretreatment serum transaminases have better response to combined interferon-ribavirin therapy.