tebkrg
04-20-2003, 09:18 AM
Subject: Hep C Patients Find Pegasys More Tolerable
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 14:10:51 -0400
Study: Hepatitis C Patients Find Pegasys More Tolerable
After just two weeks of beginning treatment with Pegasys, chronic
hepatitis C patients had more vitality and less fatigue, pain and
physical and emotional problems than those treated with
conventional interferon.
Previous studies have shown that conventional interferon produces
negative side effects that hamper the ability of hepatitis C
patients to perform their daily activities. As a result, many
patients have discontinued treatment.
These new findings about Pegasys (pegylated interferon) provide
further evidence of its tolerability and potential for ensuring
that hepatitis C patients will continue a full course of treatment,
according to study author Dr. Jens Rasenack, professor of medicine
at the Albert-Ludwigs-University in Germany.
The researchers compared health-related quality of life during
treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients who had never been
treated with interferon. The 267 patients receiving Pegasys did so
once a week for 48 weeks, while the 264 patients receiving
conventional interferon did so three times a week for 48 weeks.
At weeks 2, 12 and 24, patients receiving Pegasys had less
disabling fatigue and less impairment in patient functioning and
well-being than those receiving conventional interferon.
The researchers concluded that the impact on quality of life might
be an important consideration for physicians when selecting an
optimal treatment regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 14:10:51 -0400
Study: Hepatitis C Patients Find Pegasys More Tolerable
After just two weeks of beginning treatment with Pegasys, chronic
hepatitis C patients had more vitality and less fatigue, pain and
physical and emotional problems than those treated with
conventional interferon.
Previous studies have shown that conventional interferon produces
negative side effects that hamper the ability of hepatitis C
patients to perform their daily activities. As a result, many
patients have discontinued treatment.
These new findings about Pegasys (pegylated interferon) provide
further evidence of its tolerability and potential for ensuring
that hepatitis C patients will continue a full course of treatment,
according to study author Dr. Jens Rasenack, professor of medicine
at the Albert-Ludwigs-University in Germany.
The researchers compared health-related quality of life during
treatment for chronic hepatitis C patients who had never been
treated with interferon. The 267 patients receiving Pegasys did so
once a week for 48 weeks, while the 264 patients receiving
conventional interferon did so three times a week for 48 weeks.
At weeks 2, 12 and 24, patients receiving Pegasys had less
disabling fatigue and less impairment in patient functioning and
well-being than those receiving conventional interferon.
The researchers concluded that the impact on quality of life might
be an important consideration for physicians when selecting an
optimal treatment regimen for patients with chronic hepatitis C.