Statins Added to Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment: Is it Beneficial?

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is a major health problem in Egypt with about 9.8% of Egyptian population having an active hepatitis C infection. Almost Every step in the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) life cycle is closely related to lipid metabolism. HCV circulate in the body in lipid-rich particle, attach to hepatocytes via lipoprotein receptors. Recent attention focused on HMG CoA Reductase inhibitors (statins) and their potential therapeutic role in hepatitis C. Methods:This retrospective closed cohort study included 60 naïve CHC patients. The HCV statins group patients (n = 26) received the combination of Standard of care (Interferon alfa and repavirin) and fluvastatin 80 mg daily; HCV non statins group (n = 43) treated with the SOC treatment only. Both groups receive their treatment over a duration of 48 weeks. Results:On-treatment viral responses as well as the SVR were significantly better in HCV statins group in comparison to HCV non statins group; rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) were (13.3%, 73.3% and 68.3%) in HCV statins group vs. (0%, 58.8% and 52.9%) HCV non statins group with p value 0.00, 0.003 and 0.003 respectively. Multivariate logistic regression model identified statins use as a significant predictor of an SVR. Conclusion:A combination of fluvastatin and SOC significantly improved the SVR in naïve CHC Egyptian patients. Further powered randomized control trails are needed to elucidate statins role in HCV treatment. Keywords: HCV-treatment; Statins; Response AimThe primary aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of adding statins to SOC therapy (PEG IFN/ribavirin) on the on-treatment virologic response as well as on SVR in CHC naïve Egyptian patients.

L’Alsace protestante : illusion d’unité, réalités multiples

“…L'Église calviniste est divisée entre un Grand et un Petit consistoire qui gèrent la discipline et la vie religieuse réformée dans le val d'Argent 16 . La communauté luthérienne observe, de son côté, les règles du Convent ecclésiastique de Strasbourg sans pour autant en dépendre 17 . C'est le seigneur de Ribeaupierre -puis le comte de Birkenfeld -qui chapeaute au cas par cas, depuis la chancellerie de Ribeauvillé, ces deux organisations religieuses indépendantes.…”