Publications by authors named "Heike Pfeiffer-Vornkahl"
Article Synopsis
- This study analyzed routine care data for biologic therapy adjustments in psoriasis management from 29 centers in Germany, focusing on patients aged 18-65 with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.
- Out of 982 patients, 24.4% (240) experienced 297 treatment adjustments, with the average time to the first adjustment being about 8.4 months.
- The most common reason for adjustments was insufficient effectiveness of the skin treatment, indicating that flexible dosing regimens could enhance management strategies.
Treatment decisions are based on extent of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Noninvasive diagnostic tools may help to avoid liver biopsy. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of noncommercial serum scores in comparison with transient elastography (TE).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: In pivotal studies with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), rates of sustained virological response in hepatitis C genotype 1 infection are >90%.
Objective: The objective of this article is to assess real-world safety and effectiveness of DAA treatment in a prospective multicenter registry study.
Methods: The German Hepatitis C-Registry includes 6606 patients with genotype 1 from 246 centers, treated between February 2014 and June 2016 at the discretion of the physician.
Background & Aims: Ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) for 8 to 24 weeks is approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). In the ION-3 study, 8 weeks of LDV/SOF was non-inferior to 12 weeks in previously untreated genotype 1 (GT1) patients without cirrhosis. According to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC), 8-week treatment may be considered in naïve non-cirrhotic GT1-patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground & Aims: There are few large-scale, prospective studies comparing liver-associated events in treated and untreated patients with CHC managed in routine clinical practice.
Methods: Patients with CHC were prospectively enrolled in a non-interventional study. Data from patients with available documentation who had either achieved a sustained virological response, or were non-responders, relapsers, or had virological breakthrough following treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a±ribavirin, or who had been diagnosed but never treated at least 3 years previously, and who remained under medical observation were analyzed.
1 Objective: Chronic hepatitis C virus infections (HCV) cause a significant public health burden. Introduction of telaprevir (TVR) and boceprevir (BOC) has increased sustained virologic response rates (SVR) in genotype 1 patients but were accompanied by higher treatment costs and more side effects. Aim of the study was to assess outcomes and costs of treating HCV with TVR or BOC in routine care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 2 (GT2) infections are typically easier to treat, with the standard therapy being a 12-week regimen of sofosbuvir and ribavirin; however, efficacy varies among different patient subgroups.* -
- A study from the German Hepatitis C registry involved 6034 patients, with 265 having GT2; treatment yielded a sustained virological response (SVR) of 83% overall, but lower SVR rates were noted in certain groups, including treatment-experienced patients and those with cirrhosis.* -
- The study's results indicate that the current treatment regimen for GT2 may not be achieving expected success rates, suggesting a
Background And Aims: Smoking has multiple effects on factors influencing hepatitis C and antiviral therapy, including lipid metabolism, fibrosis, platelet count and adherence aspects. The aim of this analysis was to determine the impact of smoking on hepatitis C virus antiviral therapy.
Methods: Data of two cohorts of an observational multicenter study including therapy-naïve patients infected with genotype 1 hepatitis C virus (HCV) treated with dual antiviral therapy (n=7,796) with pegylated interferon alpha 2a in combination with ribavirin, or triple antiviral therapy (n=1,122) containing telaprevir or boceprevir, were analysed.
Background And Aims: Individualization of treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin in patients with chronic hepatitis C showed benefit in controlled trials and was implemented in treatment guidelines to increase response rates and to reduce side effects and costs. However, it is unknown whether individualization was adopted in routine daily practice and whether it translated into improved outcomes.
Methods: From a large noninterventional cohort study, clinical and virologic response data of 10,262 HCV patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a and ribavirin between 2003-2007 and 2008-2011 were analyzed.
Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin therapy in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.
Methods: Patients characteristics, treatment results and safety profiles of 4859 patients with hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection receiving treatment with pegylated interferon alfa-2a and ribavirin were retrieved from a large ongoing German multicentre non-interventional study. Recommended treatment duration was 24 wk for GT 2 and GT 3 infection and 48 wk for GT 1 and GT 4 infection.