Comparison of adverse effects related to pegylated interferon-based therapy for patients with chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan

Pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN)-based therapy is effective in treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and C (CHC) but frequently induces adverse events (AEs). This study was conducted to compare the incidence of Peg-IFN-based therapy-associated AEs in Taiwanese patients with CHB and CHC. Fifty-six patients with CHB and 103 age-, sex- and treatment duration-matched patients with CHC were enrolled. Patients with CHB were treated with Peg-IFN-alpha-2a 180 mu g/week for 24 weeks (HBeAg+, n = 31) or 48 weeks (HBeAg-, n = 25); patients with CHC were treated with Peg-IFN-alpha-2a 180 mu g/week plus ribavirin 1,000-1,200 mg/day for 24 weeks (genotype 2/3, n = 57) or 48 weeks (genotype 1, n = 46). Significantly higher incidences of Peg-IFN-related AEs, especially neuropsychiatric symptoms, and ribavirin-associated skin manifestations were observed in patients with CHC compared with those with CHB, with either the 24- or 48-week regimen. Frequencies of laboratory abnormalities, except for anemia, were comparable in both groups. Neither group showed overt hepatic decompensation. Frequency of dose reduction was similar between the groups. Substantially higher rates of early termination and severe AEs were observed in patients with CHC. Patients with CHB treated with Peg-IFN had fewer AEs than patients with CHC treated with Peg-IFN/ribavirin. All patients were treated safely.