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PubMed2000

Chronic hepatitis C: retreatment of relapsers. An evidence-based approach.

Post-treatment relapse remains a major issue in the long-term management of chronic hepatitis C. Many studies have been conducted to identify the ideal therapy that would increase the cost-effectiveness of retreatment in the individual patient. Although the conclusions of two consensus conferences for the retreatment of relapse of chronic hepatitis C have been published recently, several important issues still remain unanswered. We reviewed the available data by an evidence-based approach and conclude the following: (1) patients should be retreated with a combination of interferon (IFN) and ribavirin for 6 months if there are no contraindications to ribavirin; (2) the excellent tolerability and the lesser expense of retreatment with IFN monotherapy makes it a low-cost option for patients who have transiently cleared HCV-RNA during the first IFN course, and a primary indication for those who are contraindications to ribavirin or are likely to experience adverse events under ribavirin; (3) relapsers retreated with monotherapy must receive a high dose of IFN; and (4) patients with cirrhosis should not be retreated with IFN alone. More data, particularly on the long-term course of patients retreated with combination therapy, are needed before setting guidelines for retreatment of relapsers.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2000

The effect of retreatment with interferon-alpha on the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Interferon (IFN) has been reported to have beneficial long term effects that reduce the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), even in patients who do not have complete responses to IFN. The authors evaluated the effect of retreatment with IFN-alpha on the long term prognoses of those with incomplete responses to their initial IFN-alpha treatment. METHODS: Among 271 patients with incomplete responses to initial IFN-alpha treatment who had received sufficient dose and duration (a total dose of more than 350 megaunits administered over a period longer than 12 weeks) between October 1989 and September 1997, 63 patients received retreatment and 208 did not. The authors retrospectively compared the incidence of HCC between patients who received retreatment and those who did not. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical characteristics between these two groups. The cumulative incidence of HCC was significantly lower among the patients who had retreatment, and retreatment with IFN-alpha was the only factor that correlated with the lower incidence of HCC in multivariate analysis. The results were similar when the 12 patients with complete responses to retreatment were excluded from the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Retreatment with IFN-alpha appeared to have the additional effect of suppressing the development of HCC in patients who had incomplete responses to the initial treatment, even when the hepatitis C virus was not cleared (i.e., a complete response was not achieved) with retreatment. Further prospective study is required.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Retreatment for significant regression after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy. A prospective, randomized, masked trial.

PURPOSE: Regression, a gradual partial or complete return to the myopic state, remains a common complication of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and limits the predictability of refractive outcome, especially in high myopia. An estimated 10% to 20% of patients, therefore, request a repeat PRK procedure. This study was designed to provide patient selection criteria and guidelines for successful retreatment. METHODS: One hundred six patients who had regressed were randomized to 1 of 4 retreatment groups comprising (1) those with minimal haze after their first PRK who received an exact retreatment; (2) those with minimal haze treated with a 50% deliberate overcorrection; (3) those with significant haze (> or = 2+ haze) given an exact retreatment; and (4) those with significant haze who received a 50% overcorrection. A Visx 20/20 laser was used in each case. Mean follow-up after retreatment was 12 months (range, 6-18 months). RESULTS: Deliberate overcorrection (groups 2 and 4) resulted in a statistically significantly better refractive outcome (P = 0.026 at 6 months). Analysis of variance showed that significant haze after the first PRK was the most important predictor of a poor outcome after retreatment, other factors being high original myopia, marked regression, and loss of best-corrected visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: A retreatment PRK procedure for significant regression will reduce residual myopia significantly in the majority of patients, and a deliberate overcorrection (50%) reduces the chance of further regression. However, patients with high myopia who have regressed beyond approximately -3.50 diopters originally and who show significant anterior stromal haze (> 2+) should be retreated only with great caution, because of the risk of further regression, haze, and loss of visual acuity.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Myopic and hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis retreatments: indications, techniques, limitations, and results.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy of myopic and hyperopic laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) retreatment procedures. SETTING: Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. METHODS: Retreatment was defined as either lifting the previously created flap or when this was not possible, cutting a new flap. Fifty-six patients were retreated, 17 with hyperopia (Group 1) and 39 with myopia (Group 2). The mean preoperative spherical equivalent in Group 1 was +3.79 diopters (D) +/- 1.53 (SD) (range +1.75 to +8.12 D) and in Group 2, -5.46 +/- 2.87 D (range -0.38 to -15.25 D). RESULTS: The indications for retreatment were undercorrection, decentration, epithelial ingrowth, and central island. Postoperatively, the mean spherical equivalents in Groups 1 and 2 were +1.11 +/- 2.02 D (range -1.75 to +5.50 D) and -1.02 +/- 2.20 D (range +4.75 to -9.00 D), respectively. In Group 1, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 6/12 or better in 5.8% preoperatively and in 35% postoperatively. In Group 2, the UCVA was 6/12 or better in 5.1% preoperatively and in 59.0% postoperatively. Although 29% of the hyperopic eyes and 8% of the myopic eyes lost 1 Snellen line of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), there was an improvement (of 1 or more lines) in BCVA in 12% and 49%, respectively. In cases that were decentered preoperatively, the postoperative optical zone ablation centration was better in 85.7% of Group 1 eyes and 61.5% of Group 2 eyes. Corneal complications following retreatment included peripheral scarring, epithelial ingrowth, Bowman's folds, and keratectasia. CONCLUSIONS: Both myopic and hyperopic retreatments resulted in a stable refractive outcome. Myopic retreatments were superior to hyperopic retreatments in both efficacy and safety.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Social and cultural factors affecting rates of regular retreatment of mosquito nets with insecticide in Bagamoyo District, Tanzania.

Insecticide-treated mosquito nets have an impact on mortality and morbidity in young children under controlled conditions. When integrated into larger control programs, there is the danger that rates of regular retreatment of the nets with insecticide will drop, greatly limiting their effectiveness as a public health intervention. In Bagamoyo District, Tanzania, rates of retreatment dropped significantly when payment for the insecticide was introduced. A series of neighbourhood (hamlet) meetings were held in all study villages to discuss people's concerns about the insecticide and ways to increase rates of retreatment. Although changes were made in the procedure for retreatment, rates of retreatment remained lower than expected and showed marked variation within as well as between villages. We then conducted unstructured key informant interviews as well as informal discussions in a village with strong variation between different sectors of the villages in rates of retreatment. While logistical problems were most frequently cited as reasons not to bring nets for retreatment, political and social divisions within the community provided a better explanation. This is borne out by the low response to rearrangements in logistics which made retreating the nets significantly easier for households, and the higher response when changes were made in the channels of communication as well as the logistic features. It is clearly more difficult for villagers to appreciate the benefits of the insecticide than those of the nets. Great emphasis needs to be placed on the insecticide and its beneficial effects from the outset for any large-scale programme to be sustainable.

Bedding and Linens↗

PubMed1994

Retreatment or radiographic monitoring in endodontics.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this clinical study was to assess 1032 endodontically treated roots in relation to: (i) the success rate of retreatment (612 roots)--only cases that had recall examinations of 6 months or longer were evaluated; (ii) the influence of various factors on the technical and clinical results of the retreatment; and (iii) the consequences of radiographic monitoring of 420 asymptomatic roots when the root filling was radiographically deficient (short, overextended and/or permeable root fillings). Technical assessment of the retreatment showed that the root was adequately sealed in 52.3% of cases, the root filling was improved in 33.8%, was identical with the initial treatment in 11.1% and was worse than the first treatment in 2.8% of the canals. Clinical assessment of the retreatment of symptomatic roots showed that 71.8% of the retreatments were judged successful, 18.9% showed some healing and 9.3% had failed. The initial size of the periapical lesion, the use of rubber dam, the root filling technique and the apical level of the root filling had a statistically significant influence on the result of the retreatment. Monitoring radiographically (median time span 6 years) led to maintenance of the status quo in 94.8% of cases, healing in 2.4% and failure in 2.8% of the canals. Retreatment is clearly indicated when periapical radiolucency, clinical signs and/or symptoms are present with relative success of up to 91%. When no or little radiographic evidence of periapical pathology was present, when clinical signs and symptoms were absent or when the root filling was radiographically deficient, radiographic monitoring led to complications in only a limited number of cases. KEYWORDS: clinical decision, endodontic retreatment, radiographic evaluation.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Prescribing endodontic retreatment: towards a theory of dentist behaviour.

The large variations observed in dentists' management of periapical lesions in endodontically treated teeth suggest that disease concepts used in clinical practice should be investigated. In the present study it was hypothesized that dentists regard various periapical conditions as different stages on a health continuum. Variations could then be regarded as the result of the individuals selection of differing cut-off points for prescribing retreatment. The hypothesized decision-making model was tested using dental students in Amsterdam (Holland), Gothenburg (Sweden) and Pavia (Italy). The students were shown six simulated cases among which the quality of root filling seal and presence of post and crown were systematically varied. For each case, management of five periapical conditions was assessed. Five options were offered: no therapy, wait-and-see, nonsurgical retreatment, surgical retreatment, and extraction. For each examiner and case a 'retreatment preference score (RPS)' was established. The investigation showed large interindividual variations in RPS. A statistically significant higher mean RPS was seen among students in Pavia compared with students in Amsterdam and Gothenburg. Among all observers and cases it was found that if retreatment was proposed for a certain size of lesion, retreatment was subsequently selected for all larger lesions. The experiment gave evidence in support of the proposed hypothesis. The data also suggest that the choice of retreatment criterion is affected by values, costs of retreatment and technical quality of the original treatment.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Multiple photorefractive keratectomy retreatments for myopia.

PURPOSE: To examine the outcome of multiple photorefractive keratectomy retreatments by the excimer laser on eyes treated for myopia and myopic astigmatism. METHODS: We present 980 of 1218 (80%) consecutive eyes treated with a VISX 20/20 excimer laser that were available for follow-up. Thirteen eyes of 13 individuals were retreated twice using the same VISX excimer laser because of refractive regression. Epithelium was mechanically removed in the initial treatment and subsequent retreatment of all the eyes. No increased difficulty was noted upon removing the epithelium on subsequent retreatments. The aim in both the initial and subsequent treatments was to correct 100% of the refractive error. RESULTS: Eyes with higher amounts of myopia and astigmatism were more likely to require multiple retreatments. Seven eyes (54%) attained a spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. Twelve eyes (92%) attained a spectacle-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or greater following the second retreatment. The amount of astigmatism corrected was improved in 10 of the 13 eyes with an average improvement of 1.90 D of cylinder. Only one patient experienced a haze score of 3 or more following retreatment. CONCLUSION: There is a subgroup of patients who require multiple PRK retreatments for myopic regression. A good visual outcome may be obtained with minimal haze.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Holistic retreats. A New Jersey medical center responds to community needs.

Through Lourdes Wellness Center, sponsored by Lourdes Medical Center, Camden, NJ, religious and laypersons from across the nation can experience holistic spirituality retreats. In holistic spirituality, a person reverences his or her whole self as an expression of and a way to God. Retreats offered through the Wholistic Retreat Program are geared to demonstrate the Christian and Franciscan perspective of the holiness of all creation. Some retreatants say the liturgies are the core of the holistic spirituality retreats, rich in their use of symbol, music, and word. Meals served at the retreats are a celebration of color, texture, and fragrance. Movement and exercise options are always available. Staff from Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center often come to test retreatants' cholesterol levels, assess their life-styles and health, and provide information on health, fitness, and additional health screenings. Lourdes wellness retreats have a bright future as people increasingly turn to spirituality, preventive care, and alternative ways of healing in our high-stress society.

Catholicism↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Excimer laser photorefactive keratectomy retreatment following photokeratectomy under-correction].

PURPOSE: Results of excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy are well accepted for the correction of low to moderate myopia. However, the occurrence of a regression is still a frequent complication. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the interest and risk of excimer photorefractive keratectomy retreatment of eyes that underwent a regression of the refractive effect. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retreatment was achieved in 27 eyes of 22 patients. This reshaping was required because of either an expected undercorrected initial treatment, either a regression of the refractive effect of the first photorefractive keratectomy that did not respond to the topical steroid therapy. As we used two different types of excimer laser to achieve the retreatments, we formed two subgroups. In the first sub-group, 13 eyes were retreated with an Excimed (Summit), and in the second one, that included 14 eyes, a laser EC5000 (Nidek) was used. The delay between the first procedure and the retreatment was 16.38 +/- 7.56 months in the first sub-group and 29.85 +/- 13.09 months in second one. The mean attempted correction for the reshaping was -3.01 +/- 1.25 diopters in the first sub-group and -1.63 +/- 0.80 diopters in the second one. RESULTS: No specifical problem was encountered during the retreatment. Specifically, we did not observe any decentring. By the third post-operative month, patients recovered a mean uncorrected visual acuity of nearly 7/10 in both sub-groups. This mean uncorrected visual acuity did not regressed during the follow-up. In addition, the mean post-operative refraction was 0.11 +/- 0.78 diopters in the first sub-group and -0.20 +/- 0.59 diopters in the second, three months after reshaping. The final refraction was -0.15 +/- 0.30 dioptres in the first sub-group and -0.70 +/- 0.62 dioptres in the second one. Nine eyes exerienced a regression during the follow-up period, from which three responded to the topical steroids. These regressions occurred in 4 eyes from the first sub-group and 5 of the second one. No other complication were observed. DISCUSSION: Although there is a aggreement about the efficacy of excimer laser in the treatment of low or moderate myopia, regressions of the refractive effect is not unfrequent. It can warrant a reshapping. Our results demonstrate the simplicity and the predictive value of excimer laser in the retreatment of these regressions after photorefractive keratectomy. This method seems more accurate than radial keratotomy. CONCLUSION: Excimer laser retreatment is highly effective in the correction of undercorrection after a previous procedure of photorefractive keratectomy, especially when the attempted correction of the initial treatment was under -6 diopters.

Follow-Up Studies↗

PubMed2001

[Effectiveness of short course intermittent regimen on different categories of retreated patients with pulmonary tuberculosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of short course intermittent regimen in the different categories of retreated patients with tuberculosis. METHODS: 303 retreated patients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were recruited for the study. They were divided into three groups based on the history of tuberculosis and anti-tuberculosis treatment. 87 were in relapse group, 21 in failure group (failure after the initial treatment) and 195 in other retreatment group. Sputum Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture and drug susceptibility test were conducted before treatment. The same retreatment regimen (2-3H3R3Z3E3S3/5-6H3R3E3) was employed for all three groups of patients. Drug resistance and the outcomes of three groups of retreatment tuberculosis were analysed. RESULTS: The drug resistance rates and efficacy of retreatment showed no statistical difference among three groups (P > 0.05). In other retreatment group, the drug resistant rate in patients who received anti-TB drugs for more than 12 months (79.5%) was significantly higher than those for less than 12 months (59.8%, 0.01 < P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the successful rates of treatment were 69.4% vs 90.4% between two subgroups, being significantly different (P < 0.001). The successful treatment rate in susceptible patients (93.3%) was significantly higher than that in drug resistant patients (75.3%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: To enhance the efficacy of anti-TB therapy in drug-resistant patients is the key of improving the outcome of retreated patients receiving short course intermittent regimen.

Antitubercular Agents↗

PubMed1990

Endodontic retreatment.

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in endodontic retreatment, dictated by a growing demand to preserve teeth, including those in which endodontic therapy had failed. When observed closely, endodontic retreatment is distinguished from routine endodontic treatment by several aspects, all of which are related to the decision whether, in specific cases, to perform retreatment, surgery or simply nothing. Understanding those aspects of retreatment is essential to its successful practice. No less important is the mastering of retreatment techniques. Because of the presence of coronal and radicular restorations as well as root canal obturation material in many candidate-teeth for retreatment, the planning of retreatment must take both obstacles into consideration. Awareness of each techniques advantages and disadvantages will lead to selection of the proper technique to be employed. The present article focuses on reviewing all those aspects of endodontic retreatment, highlighting those which may be the most important for the clinician's daily use in practice.

Dental Cements↗

PubMed1998

Better efficacy of a 12-month interferon alfa-2b retreatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C relapsing after a 6-month treatment: a multicenter, controlled, randomized trial. Le Groupe D'étude et De Traitement du Virus De L'hépatite C (Get.Vhc).

We studied the efficacy of three interferon alfa-2b (IFN-2b) regimens for the retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with prior complete response followed by relapse. Consecutive patients with CHC who had a complete biochemical response but relapse after a first course of 6 months of IFN with 3 million units (MU) given subcutaneously three times per week were enrolled in the study. Six to 24 months after the end of the first treatment, the patients were randomly assigned to receive IFN with either the same regimen (group 1), a regimen of 12 months with 3 MU (group 2), or a regimen of 6 months with 10 MU (group 3). Sustained biochemical response was defined as normal serum alanine transaminase (ALT) values during the follow-up and sustained virological response as a clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA from the serum at the end of follow-up (6 months' posttreatment). Histological improvement was defined as a decrease of 1 point in Metavir score between the first liver biopsy and a biopsy performed at 6 months' postretreatment. Two hundred forty-seven patients were randomized: 75 to group 1, 91 to group 2, and 81 to group 3. In an intent-to-treat analysis, 12%, 36.3%, and 18.5% of patients had a sustained biochemical response after retreatment in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P <.001); 13. 8%, 32.4%, and 17.2% of patients had a sustained virological response after retreatment in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P <. 05). A low viral load and patients in group 2 were independently associated with a sustained biochemical response. A low Knodell score index before treatment, patients with a high level of ALT before retreatment, genotype 3, low viral load, and patients in group 2 were independently associated with sustained virological response. Younger age, a high level of ALT, a low level of gamma-glutamyl transferase before retreatment, low viral load, and patients in group 2 were independently associated with sustained biochemical and virological response. Among the 80 patients with repeated liver biopsies, 47.6% had improved histological activity scores; this improvement was associated with a sustained biochemical and virological response. In patients with CHC initially treated with 3 MU of IFN given subcutaneously three times per week over a 6-month period, and who subsequently developed a relapse after a biochemical response, retreatment with a regimen of 3 MU of IFN given three times per week for 12 months produced better biochemical and virological sustained response rates than regimens involving a higher dose or a shorter duration of retreatment. The biochemical and virological sustained response was associated with histological improvement.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Endodontic retreatment strategies used by general dental practitioners.

PURPOSE: Root-filled teeth with persistant periapical radiolucencies are often classified as endodontic failures. Studies have shown that general dental practitioners (GDP) do not consistantly suggest retreatment of "failures." The "Praxis Concept" (PC) theory hypothesizes that dentists conceive periapical health and disease as different states on a continuum. This study examined endodontic retreatment concepts among 157 GDPs from Värmland, Sweden. STUDY DESIGN: In 6 simulated cases the periapical condition, quality of root filling and presence of a root canal-retained post were systematically varied. Five options were offered: no therapy, wait and see, nonsurgical retreatment, surgical retreatment, and extraction. RESULTS: The investigation showed large interindividual variation in retreatment behavior among the GDPs. Only 9 dentists (6%) where found to repeatedly suggest retreatment of endodontic failures. A majority of GDPs (79%) performed in accordance with PC. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that several retreatment decision rules are used by Swedish GDPs, but PC-derived strategies attract the majority.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Retreatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Significant advances have been made in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection during the past 5 years. As a consequence, there is continuing enthusiasm for retreating patients who did not achieve sustained virological response (SVR) with previous therapy. Retreatment of non-responders to standard interferon monotherapy using interferon and ribavirin has yielded SVR rates of 12% to 15%. Retreatment with peginterferon and ribavirin has been more effective; achieving SVR rates of 34% to 40%. Retreatment of patients who relapsed after interferon monotherapy using standard interferon and ribavirin yielded SVR rates of 47%, whereas retreatment with peginterferon and ribavirin resulted in an SVR rate of about 60%. The major factors associated with a higher likelihood of an SVR after retreatment include previous relapse, previous treatment with interferon monotherapy, HCV genotypes 2 or 3, lower serum levels of HCV RNA, and having a significant decrease in HCV RNA levels during the initial course of therapy. These results help to focus retreatment with peginterferon and ribavirin on subsets of patients who are most likely to benefit.

Antiviral Agents↗

PubMed2003

Salvage retreatment after failure of radiosurgery in patients with arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECT: The goal of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent repeated radiosurgery to treat a residual intracranial arteriovenous malformation (AVM) after an initial radiosurgical treatment failure. METHODS: The authors reviewed the cases of 52 patients who underwent repeated radiosurgery for residual AVM at the University of Florida between December 1991 and June 1998. In each case, residual arteriovenous shunting persisted longer than 36 months after the initial treatment; the mean interval between the first and second treatment was 41 months. Each AVM nidus was measured at the time of the original treatment and again at the time of retreatment, and the dosimetric parameters of the two treatments were compared. After retreatment, patients were followed up and their outcomes were evaluated according to a standard posttreatment protocol for radiosurgery for AVMs. The mean original lesion volume was 13.8 cm3 and the mean volume at retreatment was 4.7 cm3, for an average volume reduction of 66% after the initial treatment failure. Only two AVMs (3.8%) failed to demonstrate size reduction after the primary treatment. The median doses on initial and repeated treatment were 12.5 and 15 Gy, respectively. Five patients were lost to follow up and five refused neuroimaging follow up. One patient died of a hemorrhage shortly after retreatment. Of the remaining 41 patients, 24 had evidence of cure, 15 on angiographic studies and nine on magnetic resonance (MR) images. Seventeen had evidence of treatment failure, 10 on angiographic studies and seven on MR images. By angiographic criteria alone, the cure rate after retreatment was 60%, whereas according to angiographic and MR imaging results, the cure rate was 59%. CONCLUSIONS: Although initial radiosurgical treatment failed to obliterate the AVM in these 52 patients, it did produce a substantial therapeutic effect (volume reduction). This size reduction commonly allowed higher doses to be delivered during radiosurgical retreatment. The results show rates of angiographically confirmed cure comparable to primary treatment and a low incidence of complications, indicating that salvage radiosurgical retreatment is a safe and effective therapy in cases of failed AVM radiosurgery.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Outcome of tuberculosis retreatment in routine conditions in Cotonou, Benin.

SETTING: National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP), Cotonou, Benin. OBJECTIVE: To study the patient characteristics and outcome of tuberculosis retreatment cases in a well-functioning NTP. METHODS: A retrospective, register-based study of all smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases put on retreatment (2SERHZ/1ERHZ/5R3H3E3) between 1992 and 2001 in Cotonou. For comparison, information on new smear-positive cases in Cotonou in 1999 was entered and analysed. RESULTS: Of 8103 tuberculosis patients registered, 642 were put on retreatment. The analysis is mainly based on the 236 patients whose initial treatment regimen records were available (113 relapses, 84 failures, 39 returns after default). Most of the relapse (57%) and return after default (72%) cases were put on retreatment within 12 months after stopping their initial treatment. Overall, the retreatment results were satisfactory (78% success) and comparable with those of new cases (82%); the failure rates were low (3%), as were those for initial treatment (1%). There were more defaulters from retreatment among those who had already defaulted from initial treatment (21%). Treatment success rates were better among women than men. CONCLUSION: The standardised retreatment regimen is effective in Cotonou, probably because the NTP is functioning well, there are no drug shortages, drug taking is strictly supervised, and a good treatment plan is followed.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Efficacy of early retreatment with interferon beta for relapse in patients with genotype Ib chronic hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND: Interferon (IFN) retreatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) relapsers has been effective under some conditions. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial of IFN beta retreatment for HCV relapsers after IFN alpha. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We gave IFN beta 6MIU therapy to 43 patients who had relapse of HCV after the 24 weeks IFN alpha monotherapy. The 43 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A started retreatment within 4 weeks after relapse; and Group B started retreatment 24 weeks or more after relapse. RESULTS: Nine patients showed sustained virological response (SR) to the retreatment. All of these patients were in a low viral load subgroup. The SR rate in Group A (8/22, 36%) was significantly higher than in Group B (1/21, 5%) (P=0.0128). Among patients with lower viral load, the SR rate in Group A (8/10, 80%) was also significantly higher than in Group B (1/8, 13%) (P=0.0076). CONCLUSION: The retreatment with IFN beta is effective for patients with HCV low viral load, and the sooner after the relapse the retreatment is started, the better the clinical results will be.

Journal Article↗