Author/Authors :
John, A.K. Hamad Medical Corporation - Hamad General Hospital - Department of Gastroenterology, Qatar , Al Kaabi, S. Hamad Medical Corporation - Hamad General Hospital - Department of Gastroenterology, Qatar , John, A. Hamad Medical Corporation - Department of Medical Research, Qatar , Singh, R. Hamad Medical Corporation - Department of Medical Research, Qatar , Derbala, M. Hamad Medical Corporation - Hamad General Hospital - Department of Gastroenterology, Qatar
Abstract :
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem in the Middle East. A database of 400 patients with chronic HCV in Qatar was retrospectively analysed: 242 patients underwent antiviral treatment, of whom 212 (87.6%) were naïve to treatment. The response to treatment and the predictors of response were studied. The largest group of patients were of Egyptian origin. The rate of sustained virological response (SVR) varied significantly between patients with HCV genotypes 2 or 3 (79.6%) and genotype 1 (45.6%) and 4 (the predominant genotype) (51.0%). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictors of SVR were age 45 years, infection with genotypes 2 or 3, low fibrosis score on liver biopsy and naïve treatment status.
