Effects of interferon treatment response on liver complications of chronic hepatitis C: 9-year follow-up study.

Objectives: Fibrotic severity, biochemical indices of poor liver function, and sporadic transmission are independent predictors of liver complications among people with chronic hepatitis C. After accounting for these factors, we tested whether interferon treatment or the treatment response reduces the rate of liver cancer, liver-related death or transplantation, and other liver complications during extended follow-up.

Methods: Liver clinic cohort of 455 patients with histologically proven chronic hepatitis C was followed prospectively for median 9 yr (IQ 6, 11 yr); 384 received interferon, 343 completed a treatment course.

Changes in antipyrine clearance and platelet count, but not conventional liver tests, correlate with fibrotic change in chronic hepatitis C: value for predicting fibrotic progression.

Objective: We tested whether fibrotic progression in chronic hepatitis C could be predicted by liver tests, antipyrine clearance, or platelet count.

Methods: In 58 patients (6 untreated, 52 interferon-treated), a second liver biopsy was taken median 4.5 yr after first histologic diagnosis.

Changes in serum albumin during treatment of chronic hepatitis B with lamivudine: effects of response and emergence of drug resistance.

Objectives: In chronic hepatitis B patients treated with lamivudine, the incidence of drug resistance increases with the duration of therapy. The effect of drug resistance on hepatic synthetic function is not well defined. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of lamivudine therapy on hepatic synthetic function in patients with moderately severe chronic hepatitis B and, particularly, to determine the effect of drug resistance.