Disease stage of chronic hepatitis C assessed by both peritoneoscopic and histologic findings and its relationship with response to interferon therapy

Abstract

Background:Disease stage in patients with chronic hepatitis C was assessed by both peritoneoscopy and histology and correlated with responses to interferon therapy. Methods:The subjects were 105 patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon who were classified into 28 sustained responders, 34 transient responders, and 43 nonresponders according to alanine aminotransferase normalization. The influence of various patient's characteristics on responses to interferon therapy was investigated by multivariate analysis. Results:Patients were categorized into 21 patients who exhibited a “smooth liver” on peritoneoscopy and did not demonstrate histologic bridging fibrosis (group I) and 84 patients who exhibited a “granular” or “nodular liver” on peritoneoscopy and/or had histologic bridging fibrosis (group II). Multivariate analysis showed that genotype 2a/2b ( p = .0002), low viremia ( p = .0048), and early disease stage (group I) ( p = .0290) were significant independent factors contributing to sustained response, and that early disease stage (group I) ( p = .0010) and genotype 2a/2b ( p = .0085) were those contributing to sustained or transient response. Neither peritoneoscopic nor histologic findings alone were a significant factor influencing responses to interferon therapy. Conclusion:Disease stage assessed by both peritoneoscopic and histologic findings may serve as a reliable marker for predicting responses to interferon therapy in chronic hepatitis C. (Gastrointest Endosc 1997;45:168-75.)