Assessment of efficacy and safety of PEGylated interferon plus ribavirin in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C

Patients with chronic hepatitis C-associated liver disease are of an older age in southern Taiwan. PEGylated interferon-based therapy could reduce the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma and improve survival. We assessed the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with PEGylated interferon plus ribavirin in elderly patients with chronic hepatitis C. A total of 88 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with combination therapy were analyzed retrospectively to identify factors associated with a sustained virological response (SVR). These patients were divided into two groups according to age: elderly patients60 years (n = 43) and patients 50 to 59 years (n = 45). We compared baseline characteristics, adherence 80/80/80, dose modification, discontinuation, and adverse events profiles between these two groups. We further compared virological response rates stratified by genotype. The factors associated with an SVR were determined by total patients and different age groups. In the intent-to-treat analysis, the SVR rate was 61.8%. The SVR rate of elderly patients tended to be superior to that of total patients. Patients aged60 years had a higher proportion of concomitant chronic disease, dose modification, clinical events with anorexia, depression, leucopenia, and anemia than those aged 50 to 59 years. Total patients with genotype 1 tended to have a lower SVR rate than nongenotype 1 (P = 0.067). Total patients with nongenotype 1 had a significantly higher rapid virological response (RVR) rate than genotype 1 (P = 0.009). In patients aged60 years, the relapse rate of genotype 1 was higher than that of nongenotype 1 (P = 0.034). After stratification by HCV genotype 1, high viral load, and achievement of an RVR, the SVR rates remained similar between the two groups. The most strongly predictive factors of an SVR of total patients were the achievement of an RVR (OR: 49.744; 95% CI: 6.979-354.574; P < 0.001), followed by breakthrough (OR: 0.018; 95% CI: 0.002-0.195; P = 0.001). The factor mostly predictive of an SVR in age60 years group was achievement of an RVR (OR: 12.779; 1.430-114.180; P = 0.023). Elderly patients had a greater frequency of adverse events. Genotype 1 is independently associated with lower SVR and RVR rates and high relapse rates. Attainment of an RVR is the most powerful predictor of SVR in elderly patients.