Study of Anaemia & Thrombocytopenia in adult Egyptian patients with HCV infection treated with Interferon & Ribavirin in relation to virological response

Abstract

Background: Egypt is a country that has one of the world’s highest hepatitis burdens. It is estimated that 10% of the population between 15 and 59 years is chronically infected with hepatitis C. Peg-Interferon and Ribavirin (combined therapy ) used for treatment of HCV infected patients for 48 months that cause anaemia ,thrombocytopenia and neutropenia as documented by many studies. Aim of work: The aim of this study is to assess the predictive value of hematological toxicity mainly thrombocytopenia in adult Egyptian patients with HCV treated by Peg-interferon and ribavirin in relation to virological response Patients and methods: This Cohort study will include 204 patients infected with HCV and treated by Peg-Interferon and Ribavirin who developed hematological toxicity during treatment. Result: There is significant reduction in hemoglobin (HB%) level, platelet (Plt)count and Leucocytic (WBC)count during 48weeks of treatment and after finishing the treatment course, the drop of Hemoglobin(HB%)level and Platelet(Plt)count stop but didn't reach the baseline level, but the level of neutrophils count did not show any improvement. Conclusion: Anemia and thrombocytopenia are the most common side effects of treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin with incidence about 23-25%. Anemia is mainly due to hemolysis of RBCs as a result of ribavirin intake, and also interferon shared by minimizing the correction of anemia by suppression of the bone marrow, Thrombocytopenia caused by bone marrow suppression and there is no correlation between PCR results and severity of complications. Key Words: (HCV) hepatitis c virus, (HB%) hemoglobin, (Plt) Platelet, (WBC) White blood count, Peg-Interferon and Ribavirin. 1