Correlation between routine blood test results and antiviral effect in patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon-α

Objective To investigate the correlation between the changes in routine blood test results and antiviral effect in patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C receiving standard treatment. Methods A total of 63 previously untreated patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C who visited Beijing You An Hospital,Capital Medical University,from September 2011 to December 2012 were enrolled. The patients were treated with pegylated interferon- α- 2a 180 μg / week and ribavirin( RBV) for 48 weeks. HCV RNA measurement and routine blood tests were performed at baseline and weeks 4,12,and 24 of treatment to analyze the correlation between routine blood test results and antiviral effect. According to the status of sustained virologic response( SVR),the patients were divided into SVR group and n SVR group. The t- test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,the chi- square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups,and a simple linear correlation analysis was performed. Results Of the 63 patients,three were lost to follow- up,and the other 60 patients completed the antiviral therapy and 24- week follow- up; among the 60 patients,46 achieved SVR,resulting in an SVR rate of76. 7%. Compared with the n SVR group,the SVR group showed lower absolute lymphocyte count( LYPH),white blood cell count( WBC),and absolute neutrophil count( NUET),and the three indicators were significantly different between the two groups at 12 weeks( t = 3. 398,2. 766,and 2. 037,all P < 0. 05); WBC and NUET still showed significant differences between the two groups at 24 weeks( t = 2. 559 and 2. 151,both P < 0. 05). In addition,at week 4 of treatment,the SVR group showed significantly greater reductions in these three indicators from baseline compared with the n SVR group,LYPH showed significant different between the two groups( t = 2. 26,P =0. 03). At weeks 4 and 12 of treatment,LYPH,WBC,and NEUT were positively correlated with the reduction in HCV RNA( r = 0. 36,0. 45,0. 37,0. 47,0. 61,and 0. 33,all P < 0. 05). Conclusion The reductions in LYPH,WBC,and NEUT can be used as predictive indicators for antiviral effect in patients with refractory chronic hepatitis C.