Prevalence Of Hematological Side Effects Of Ribavirin Plus Pegylated Interferon Combination Therapy In Chronic Hepatitis C Treated Patients

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C infection is a global issue. In Pakistan prevalence of hepatitis C virus is 5% with pockets of high
infection in different provinces and subsets of population. Various treatment therapies are available for chronic
hepatitis C patients. The most common regimen is combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy. The
Aim of the current research to identify the frequency of hematological side effects of pegylated interferon and
ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C treated patients from February 2018 to February 2020 at
Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar Pakistan. In the Present study the patients were explained about the
objective of the study and informed written consent was taken. Convenient purposive sampling technique was used
in this study. The patients were put on pegylated interferon (alpha-2a) 180ug subcutaneously once weekly and
ribavirin 400mg twice a day. The patients were followed according to study protocol. At each follow up visit
hemoglobin level, TLC, DLC and platelet count were checked. The data were entered in SPSS-11 and analyzed. In the
Present study total 30 patients were studied among these, 20 were male and 10 were female. The drop of
hemoglobin upto 1 g/dl from the base line was noted in 5 (16.6%). A drop up to 2 g/dl from the base line was seen
in 4(13.4%). Platelet count dropped to 90000/mm3 in 12 (39.99%) of cases. In 2(6.6%) it dropped up to 50000/mm3.
Total leukocyte count dropped to 3000/mm3 in 4 (13.33%) of the cases and absolute neutrophilic count remained
in the range of 1000/mm3 to 1500/mm3 in 2 (6.66%) of the cases. In 1 (3.33%) it dropped to 750/mm3. Serum uric
acid was raised in 13 (43.33%).From the current study we conclude that Anemia, absolute neutropenia and
thrombocytopenia were seen in few cases and these were managed with dose adjustment.