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Erythropoietic response to anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination pegylated interferon/ribavirin.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Balan, V; Schwartz, D; Wu, GY; Muir, AJ; Ghalib, R; Jackson, J; Keeffe, EB; Rossaro, L; Burnett, A; Goon, BL; Bowers, PJ; Leitz, GJ ...
Published in: Am J Gastroenterol
February 2005

OBJECTIVES: In hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients receiving pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) combination therapy, anemia is a well-known side effect. The purpose of this study was to describe the time course and extent of hemoglobin (Hb) changes and the erythropoietic response to PEG-IFN/RBV-induced anemia. METHODS: In this multicenter, observational, 8-wk study, laboratory parameters were measured weekly for 8 wk or until early withdrawal. Primary endpoints included changes in Hb and serum erythropoietin (sEPO) from baseline to week 8; other measures were changes in reticulocytes and RBV dose. The predictive value of baseline factors for maximum Hb decline was assessed. RESULTS: In the 97 evaluable patients, mean Hb decreased from 14.4 +/- 1.4 g/dl (baseline) to 11.9 +/- 1.3 g/dl (week 8). Twenty-one percent of patients withdrew before week 8. The estimated erythropoietic response was lower than that seen in two historic control populations of iron deficiency anemia patients. Mean RBV dose decreased from 986 +/- 190 mg/day (baseline) to 913 +/- 228 mg/day (week 8). Fifty-seven out of 77 (74%) patients who completed the study maintained their initial prescribed RBV dose. Patients maintained on the initial dose of RBV who had a higher baseline Hb and viral load showed a trend toward larger Hb declines. Platelets and white blood cells (WBCs) also declined during the study. CONCLUSIONS: HCV-infected patients receiving PEG-IFN/RBV therapy have reductions in Hb, platelets, and WBCs, possibly due to bone marrow suppression. They also have diminished endogenous sEPO production for their degree of anemia.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Am J Gastroenterol

DOI

ISSN

0002-9270

Publication Date

February 2005

Volume

100

Issue

2

Start / End Page

299 / 307

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ribavirin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Hemoglobins
 

Citation

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Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Balan, V., Schwartz, D., Wu, G. Y., Muir, A. J., Ghalib, R., Jackson, J., … HCV Natural History Study Group. (2005). Erythropoietic response to anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination pegylated interferon/ribavirin. Am J Gastroenterol, 100(2), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.40757.x
Balan, Vijayan, David Schwartz, George Y. Wu, Andrew J. Muir, Reem Ghalib, John Jackson, Emmet B. Keeffe, et al. “Erythropoietic response to anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination pegylated interferon/ribavirin.Am J Gastroenterol 100, no. 2 (February 2005): 299–307. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.40757.x.
Balan V, Schwartz D, Wu GY, Muir AJ, Ghalib R, Jackson J, et al. Erythropoietic response to anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination pegylated interferon/ribavirin. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Feb;100(2):299–307.
Balan, Vijayan, et al. “Erythropoietic response to anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination pegylated interferon/ribavirin.Am J Gastroenterol, vol. 100, no. 2, Feb. 2005, pp. 299–307. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.40757.x.
Balan V, Schwartz D, Wu GY, Muir AJ, Ghalib R, Jackson J, Keeffe EB, Rossaro L, Burnett A, Goon BL, Bowers PJ, Leitz GJ, HCV Natural History Study Group. Erythropoietic response to anemia in chronic hepatitis C patients receiving combination pegylated interferon/ribavirin. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005 Feb;100(2):299–307.
Journal cover image

Published In

Am J Gastroenterol

DOI

ISSN

0002-9270

Publication Date

February 2005

Volume

100

Issue

2

Start / End Page

299 / 307

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Ribavirin
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Interferon-alpha
  • Interferon alpha-2
  • Humans
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Hemoglobins