Hepatitis C virus therapy with peg-interferon and ribavirin in Myanmar: A resource-constrained country

AIM To investigate peg-interferon(peg-IFN) and ribavirin(RBV) therapy in Myanmar and to predict sustained virologic response(SVR).METHODS This single-center, open-label, study was conducted in Myanmar between 2009 and 2014. A total of 288 patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 6 were treated with peg-IFN alpha-2a(180 μg/wk) or alpha-2b(50 to 100 μg as a weight-based dose) and RBV as a weight-based dose(15 mg/kg/d). Treatment duration was 48 wk for genotypes 1 and 6, 24 wk for genotype 2, and 24 or 48 wk for genotype 3 based on rapid virologic response(RVR). Those co-infected with hepatitis B received 48 wk of therapy.RESULTS Overall, SVR was achieved for 82% of patients and the therapy was well tolerated. All patients achieved SVR at equivalent rates regardless of HCV genotype(P = 0.314). Low fibrosis scores(P < 0.001), high baseline albumin levels(P = 0.028) and low baseline viral loads(P = 0.029) all independently predicted SVR. On the other hand, IL-28 B TT and CC genotypes were not found to significantly predict SVR(P = 0.634; P = 0.618). Among those who completed treatment, the occurrence of RVR showed a > 96% positive predictive value for achieving SVR. Treatment duration did not significantly impact the likelihood of achieving SVR for patients infected with genotype 3 HCV(P = 0.371). The most common adverse events were fatigue(71%) and poor appetite(60%). Among patients with genotype 3 HCV, more patients in the 48-wk treatment group required erythropoietin than in the 24-wk treatment group(61.1% vs 49.2%).CONCLUSION SVR rates were high with peg-IFN and RBV therapy in Myanmar. Fibrosis scores, baseline albumin, HCV RNA levels and RVR independently predicted SVR.