학술논문
Assessment of adherence to chronic hepatitis C treatment in Romania: an open, single center, prospective study
Original article
Original article
Document Type
Clinical report
Author
Source
Journal of Contemporary Clinical Practice. September 2016, Vol. 2 Issue 2, p59, 10 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
2457-7200
Abstract
Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a widespread viral infection of the liver and a major healthcare concern, being underdiagnosed in most cases, due to its frequently asymptomatic clinical course. [...]
Background Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment has been the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C for a long time, but it has started to be replaced by newer therapeutic regimens, including direct-acting antivirals with better tolerability and higher efficacy rates. Despite the changing landscape of antiviral therapy, patient adherence remains essential to obtaining a sustained viral response. Methods We performed an open, single center, non-interventional prospective study, which included 78 adult patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon and ribavirin during 2012-2013 in Romania. The patients completed questionnaires at weeks 12, 24 and 48 of treatment, and at a follow-up at 48 weeks after the end of treatment. The following items were assessed: treatment adherence, patient's health, quality of life, adverse reactions, symptoms and treatment administration. Results From the 78 patients included in this study, at week 12 93.59% were still under treatment, 76.92% at week 24, and 70.51% at week 48. Patient counseling regarding treatment administration had an important impact on treatment adherence and specifically on finishing all 48 weeks of treatment, with 74.29% of the instructed patients versus 37.50% of non- or partially-instructed patients completing treatment, p Conclusion In patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peg-interferon and ribavirin in Romania, treatment adherence reached relatively high levels, constantly over 70%, and was statistically associated with pre-treatment counseling regarding the correct administration of the medication. Keywords Hepatitis C treatment, peg-interferon, ribavirin, adherence, Romania.
Background Peginterferon and ribavirin treatment has been the standard of care for chronic hepatitis C for a long time, but it has started to be replaced by newer therapeutic regimens, including direct-acting antivirals with better tolerability and higher efficacy rates. Despite the changing landscape of antiviral therapy, patient adherence remains essential to obtaining a sustained viral response. Methods We performed an open, single center, non-interventional prospective study, which included 78 adult patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peginterferon and ribavirin during 2012-2013 in Romania. The patients completed questionnaires at weeks 12, 24 and 48 of treatment, and at a follow-up at 48 weeks after the end of treatment. The following items were assessed: treatment adherence, patient's health, quality of life, adverse reactions, symptoms and treatment administration. Results From the 78 patients included in this study, at week 12 93.59% were still under treatment, 76.92% at week 24, and 70.51% at week 48. Patient counseling regarding treatment administration had an important impact on treatment adherence and specifically on finishing all 48 weeks of treatment, with 74.29% of the instructed patients versus 37.50% of non- or partially-instructed patients completing treatment, p Conclusion In patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with peg-interferon and ribavirin in Romania, treatment adherence reached relatively high levels, constantly over 70%, and was statistically associated with pre-treatment counseling regarding the correct administration of the medication. Keywords Hepatitis C treatment, peg-interferon, ribavirin, adherence, Romania.