Laparoscopic Findings as a Predictor of the Efficacy of Interferon Therapy and Laparoscopic Changes in Sustained Responders after Interferon Therapy

Abstract

Factors predicting the efficacy of Interferon (IFN) therapy were studied in 137 (62 sustained responders, SR, and 7 5 non-responders, NR) cases with chronic hepatitis C, in whom laparoscopy was done following IFN therapy. Univariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in pre-IFN therapy levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), HCV genotype and laparoscopic findings between the SR and NR. The SR rate in cases with Code numbers (Code Nos.) 20 1, 20 1.5 and 20 1.6 was 69.2% and that in cases with Code Nos. 3 1 7 and 3 1 7.4 was 10.7%, both being statistically significant in relation to other Code No. groups. Multivariate analysis was conducted in only 54 cases and statistically significant differences were demonstrated for laparoscopic findings (Odds ratio 0.051, p=0.037) and HCV genotype (Odds ratio 0.083, p=0.012). These factors were considered useful for predicting the efficacy of IFN therapy. Laparoscopic changes after IFN therapy in the SR group were studied in 12 cases, in whom increments in whitish markings and the appearance of peliosis hepatis were observed in 75% and 42%, respectively, whereas the values in nine NR group cases were 1 1 % and 0%. These findings differed significantly between the SR and NR groups (both, p<0.05) and were thought to be characteristic of SR. (Dig Endosc 1996 ; 8 : 293-301)

Changes in serum lipid concentrations in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus positive hepatitis responsive or non‐responsive to interferon therapy

“…One of the biggest problems of this treatment is the low success rate. Therefore, many predictors of responsiveness to IFN therapy, including genotype of HCV, quantity of HCV RNA in the plasma and laparoscopic and histological liver findings, have been reported 4–7 …”

“…According to their report, patients with high serum cholesterol concentrations had a greater chance of successful treatment with IFN 8 . The serum cholesterol concentration, however, decreases with the histological progression of chronic liver disease, and histologically advanced CHC cannot be easily treated by IFN 4,9 . We therefore considered it important to check if serum lipid concentration was indeed an important predictive factor of response to treatment for CHC.…”