Genotype 4 HCV infection is difficult to cure with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Results from a Greek Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background And Aim: Patients with genotype 4 (G4) chronic hepatitis C (CHC) are considered a difficult to treat population, although current data on G4 treatment responsiveness and duration are controversial. Greece represents a country with an intermediate prevalence of G4 infections, offering an opportunity to compare treatment outcomes by genotype and to identify potential prognostic factors for sustained virologic response (SVR).

Methods: All CHC patients from the HepNet.

An open-label, non-comparative, non-interventional, multi-center, post-authorization safety study on the administration of rabeprazole to adults with gastro-esophageal reflux disease.

Background: Rabeprazole produces a profound and long-lasting inhibition of gastric acid secretion. The aim of the study was to monitor the safety and efficacy of rabeprazole administered to patients with erosive or symptomatic non-erosive reflux disease, in real-life healthcare settings.

Methods: Male and female patients, aged ≥18 years, with endoscopy diagnosed GERD were included; patients received at least 8 weeks treatment with rabeprazole.

Frequency and predictors of no treatment in anti-hepatitis C virus-positive patients at tertiary liver centers in Greece.

Background/aims: Despite the improving efficacy of antiviral therapy, a significant proportion of chronic hepatitis C patients never start treatment. We determined the magnitude and reasons for no treatment in anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive patients visiting tertiary liver centers in Greece.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 1146 consecutive anti-HCV-positive patients who visited four physicians at two tertiary liver centers between 2002 and 2010.

Long-term adefovir plus lamivudine therapy does not decrease creatinine clearance in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background/aims: As there are concerns about potential nephrotoxicity of nucleotide analogues, we evaluated renal function parameters during long-term adefovir and lamivudine combination therapy.

Methods: Forty-six HBeAg-negative patients with lamivudine-resistance treated with adefovir and lamivudine for up to 90 months were included. Renal function was assessed by estimated creatinine clearance (eC(CR) ) and compared with a matched control group of untreated inactive hepatitis B virus carriers.

Significant epidemiological changes in chronic hepatitis C infection: results of the nationwide HEPNET-GREECE cohort study.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important health problem worldwide. The aim of the study is to describe the baseline characteristics and possible epidemiological changes of the patients with chronic HCV infection included in a nationwide Greek study.

Patients And Methods: two thousand eight hundred seventeen (2817) patients, followed-up at 20 hepatology centres throughout Greece between the years 1997 and 2006 were enrolled in the study.