The natural history and long-term outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 after interferon-based therapy.

Background & Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 (G4) infection is common in the Middle East. Post-treatment long-term outcomes have not been reported in these patients. This study evaluates these outcomes in patients after interferon-based therapy.

Peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin compared with interferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin for initial treatment of chronic hepatitis C in Saudi patients commonly infected with genotype 4.

Aim: Comparing the efficacy of peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin with interferon alpha -2b plus ribavirin in Saudi patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) commonly infected with genotype 4.

Methods: A total of 96 patients with chronic HCV infection were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Forty-eight patients received once weekly 100 microg of peginterferon alpha-2b plus ribavirin given orally 800 mg/day (peginterferon group).