EFFICACY AND COST EFFECTIVENESS OF COMBINED CONVENTIONAL INTERFERON ALPHA 2a AND RIBAVIRIN THERAPY IN PATIENTS OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Objective: To determine end treatment and sustained virological response to conventional interferons and ribavirin.Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted from January 2009 to September 2011 at DHQ hospital Dir, KPK, Pakistan. Three hundred and forty-seven patients of chronic hepatitis C aged 18 to 60 years were given conventional Interferons alpha 2a and Ribavirin for six months under Prime Minister Program for control of hepatitis.Results: Out of three hundred and forty seven patients three hundred and thirty nine patients completed the therapy. End treatment response was achieved in 229 (67.5%) patients and sustained virological response was seen in 210(61.94%) patients. Conclusion: Combination of conventional interferon and ribavirin has a high sustained virological response with fewer side effects in our study. In resource depleted countries like Pakistan, conventional interferon alpha 2a and ribavirin combination therapy can be used as the first line treatment for non affording chronic hepatitis C patients