Treatment of acute hepatitis C with interferon α‐2b: early initiation of treatment is the most effective predictive factor of sustained viral response

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Abstract
Summary: Aim : To evaluate the efficacy of early interferon α‐2b in non‐post‐transfusion acute hepatitis C virus: a prospective study with historical comparison.Patients : Group A: 28 patients prospectively treated for acute hepatitis C virus with daily regimen of interferon 5 million units for 2 months. Group B: historical series of 16 patients with untreated acute hepatitis C virus.Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups with regard to gender, age, icterus, alanine aminotransferase, or genotypes. In group B, hepatitis spontaneously resolved in three of 16 (19%) patients (follow‐up 1–7 years). In group A, 21 of 25 patients became sustained viral responders (75%; P = 0.0003 vs. group B). Factors include not predictive of sustained viral response: age, gender, sources of infection, presence of icterus, alanine aminotransferase peak, bilirubin peak, incubation period, presence of hepatitis C virus antibodies at presentation, or genotypes. The time from presentation to the start of therapy was, however, significantly shorter in sustained viral responders (43 ± 31 days) than in relapsers or non‐responders (88 ± 52 days) (P = 0.016).Conclusions : Early treatment of acute hepatitis C virus with interferon prevents chronicity. A short waiting time from presentation to treatment appears as the most relevant predictive factor for sustained response.