Efficacy of peg-interferon-α-2a plus ribavirin for patients aged 60years and older with chronic hepatitis C in Korea

Background and Aim: In the present study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of combination therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin for treating chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients aged 60years and older. Methods: A total of 314 CHC patients, who were treated with combination therapy, were classified into three groups according to age: (i) younger than 50years (n=137); (ii) 50-59years (n=109); and (iii) 60years or older (n=68). The sustained virological response (SVR) and discontinuation rates were compared between the three groups. Results: Discontinuation of therapy due to adverse event was more frequent in the older patient groups: 1%, 5%, and 10% for the <50-year, the 50-59-year, and the ≥60-year patient groups, respectively (P=0.018). However, the older patient groups showed a SVR rate that was comparable to the SVR rates of the other age groups: 80%, 73%, and 75% for the <50-year, 50-59-year, and ≥60-year- patient groups, respectively (P=0.420). A multivariate analysis showed that the aspartate aminotransferase:platelet ratio index (APRI) was an independent predictor of an SVR. An SVR was achieved in 95% (19/20) of the elderly patients with an APRI <0.80. Conclusions: Although physicians must pay more attention to adverse events in the older patients, combination therapy can be considered for older patients, especially for patients with a low APRI.