Peginterferon Alfa-2a and Ribavirin in Latino and Non-Latino Whites with Hepatitis C

To the Editor: Rodriguez-Torres and colleagues (Jan. 15 issue) 1 state that the rate of response to standard therapy for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection was lower among Latino white patients than among non-Latino whites. We have concerns about the selection of patients, because in the Latino group at baseline, higher percentages of patients had cirrhosis and an alanine aminotransferase quotient of more than 3. These characteristics might indicate more advanced disease. 2 Furthermore, the rates of obesity and diabetes, which are risk factors for the lack of a sustained viral response, 1 were higher in the Latino group. If the aim of . . .