A reduced dose of ribavirin does not influence the virologic response during pegylated interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin combination therapy in patients with genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.

Background/aims: When combined with pegylated interferon alpha-2b (Peg-IFN α-2b) for the treatment of genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in Korea, the current guideline for the initial ribavirin (RBV) dose is based on body weight. However, since the mean body weight is lower for Korean patients than for patients in Western countries, current guidelines might result in Korean patients being overdosed with RBV.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with genotype 1 CHC who were treated with Peg-IFN α-2b and RBV combination therapy.

Liver cirrhosis due to autoimmune hepatitis combined with systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic systemic disease that affects the skin, lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and musculoskeletal system. Although up to 90% of patients with scleroderma have been estimated to have gastrointestinal involvement, liver disease has been reported only rarely. A 51-year-old woman was hospitalized due to esophageal variceal bleeding.

A case of propofol-induced oropharyngeal angioedema and bronchospasm.

Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) is an ultrashort-acting sedative agent with sedative and amnestic effects that is used not only for anesthesia but also for sedation during minor outpatient procedures and endoscopic examinations. Rare cases of anaphylaxis following propofol administration have been reported in the medical literature. Documentation of anaphylaxis is often lacking because the cause and effect relationship is often hard to prove.