Early decline of hemoglobin correlates with progression of ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia during interferon plus ribavirin combination therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the factors correlated with the progression of ribavirin-induced hemolytic anemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated by interferon and ribavirin combination therapy.

Methods: This study was conducted on 505 patients by the Osaka Liver Disease Study Group. A decline of hemoglobin (Hb) concentration by 2 g/dl at the end of 2 weeks from the start of the treatment ("2 by 2" standard) was adopted as a predictive factor for progression to severe anemia.

Should aged patients with chronic hepatitis C be treated with interferon and ribavirin combination therapy?

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of interferon and ribavirin for aged patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Methods: This study was conducted at Osaka University Hospital and institutions participating in the Osaka Liver Disease Study Group on 329 patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving interferon and ribavirin combination therapy (group A, under 60 year old, n=199; group B, 60-64 year old, n=64; group C, over 65 year old (mean age, 67.8+/-2.