The effects of interferon alpha-2b in combination with ribavirin on health related quality of life and work productivity
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Authors
McHutchison, John G.Ware, John E. Jr.
Bayliss, Martha S.
Pianko, Stephen
Albrecht, Janice K.
Cort, Susannah
Yang, Ilsoon
Neary, Maureen P.
UMass Chan Affiliations
Department of Quantitative Health SciencesDocument Type
Journal ArticlePublication Date
2001-02-24Keywords
AdultAlanine Transaminase
Antiviral Agents
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Hepatitis C, Chronic
Humans
Interferon Alfa-2b
Male
Middle Aged
*Quality of Life
Recurrence
Ribavirin
Biostatistics
Epidemiology
Health Services Research
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Show full item recordAbstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interferon plus ribavirin is the most effective therapy for chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic hepatitis C and therapy on health-related quality of life and work functioning. METHODS: Nine hundred and twelve patients with hepatitis C infection were randomized in a controlled trial of Interferon alpha 2b 3 MU tiw for 24 or 48 weeks plus ribavirin 1000-1200 mg or placebo. Questionnaire-based assessments of health-related quality of life and work functioning were performed before, during, and after treatment. Outcome measures included the SF-36 Health Survey and additional generic and specific scales. Work functioning was assessed as missed days, shorter hours or less productivity at work. RESULTS: Pre-treatment, patients had significant impairment in five of eight SF-36 concepts compared to matched population norms. Sustained responders had a return to normal for four of these five concepts. Quality of life did not improve in non-responders. Improvements in histology, viral load or ALT values predicted improvements in quality of life. Sustained responders also had improvements in work functioning and productivity. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C patients had impaired quality of life. After combination therapy, sustained virologic responders achieved benefits in their quality of life and work functioning.Source
J Hepatol. 2001 Jan;34(1):140-7. Link to article on publisher's siteDOI
10.1016/S0168-8278(00)00026-XPermanent Link to this Item
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14038/47443PubMed ID
11211891Related Resources
Link to Article in PubMedae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/S0168-8278(00)00026-X