Background and Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a frequent complication among long-term dialysis patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and side effects of pegylated interferon-α2a (PEG-IFN-α2a) treatment in hemodialysis patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed charts of 16 HCV-RNA-positive hemodialysis patients. Results: There were 11 male and 5 female patients treated with dialysis for 6–28 years. Twelve patients had HCV genotype 1b, 2 patients had 3a, and 1 patient had genotype 2a. Although only 10 out of 16 patients completed 48 weeks of treatment, early virological response and end-of-treatment virological response were achieved in 9 and 13 patients, respectively. Sustained virological response was recorded in 9 patients. The most common side effect was anemia. A flu-like syndrome was documented in 6, myalgia in 4, and arthralgia in 5 patients. Rectorrhagia, endocarditis and severe cough were recorded in 1 patient each. Nine patients received a renal transplant, and all 6 responders remained HCV-RNA-negative. Conclusions: PEG-IFN-α2a has limited efficacy in dialysis patients. A significant proportion of patients discontinued treatment because of side effects. Additional studies with long-term follow-up are needed to determine the optimal treatment of HCV infection in the dialysis population.

Keywords:
Hepatitis C, Dialysis, Pegylated interferon, Outcome, Renal transplantation
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© 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel
2011
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