APRI Index, HCV genotype and HCV RNA as predictors of early viral response in hepatitisC patients

Abstract number: P2028

Mata-Marin J., Fuentes-Allen J., Gaytan-Martinez J., Chaparro-Sánchez A., Arroyo-Anduiza C., Manjarrez-Tellez B.

Background: Absence of therapeutic response in hepatitis C patients is multifactorial; genotype 1, viral load major than 800,000 UI/ml, and APRI index of hepatic fibrosis major than 1.2 are associated to an unfavourable response.

Methods: We prospectively checked patients with diagnosis of hepatitis C since July 2006 to February 2008, who were evaluated to start therapy with interferon a-2b pegylated and ribavirin and reviewed retrospectively clinical charts of patients with the same diagnosis from January 2004 to June 2006. The treatment with Interferon a-2b pegylated 1.5 mg/kg/weeks and ribavirin was adjusted (>75 kg; 1200 and <75 kg; 1000 mg). Patients were allocated in one of two groups: Group 1 included patients with hepatitis C with early viral response (EVR) and group 2 patients without EVR. We identify any clinical and/or biochemical variable potentially predictive of the response.

Results: During the study, 80 patients were analyzed, 45 in retrospective way and 25 in prospective way. The mean (±SD) age of these patients was 42.9±12 years. 55 (68.8%) were genotype 1 and 25 (31.3%) were genotype 2 or 3. Variables associated with absence of EVR were genotype 1 (OR 0.28 IC 95% 0.08–0.94; p = 0.034) and the combination of the factors genotype 1, APRI index >1.2 and HVC RNA >800,000 UI/ml (OR 0.162 IC 95% 0.02–0.89; p = 0.021). After adjustment in a logistic regression model, only the factor genotype 1 remains significant.