Hepatitis C treatment difficult in older patients

Older patients find it difficult to cope with the treatment of hepatitis C, due to its side effects as compared to their younger counterparts. Researchers from the Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences found that impaired heart, lung and kidney function can make older patients more susceptible to anaemia induced by ribavirin, one of the drugs used for treating hepatitis C. The researchers analysed outcomes among 208 patients with chronic hepatitis C. The treatment included injections of interferon daily for 2 weeks then three times weekly for 22 weeks, and a daily dose of Ribavirin. It was found that only 92 (44 percent) continued without dose reductions until the end of treatment. Rates of discontinuation or dose reduction were 38 percent in those younger than 50 years old, 48 percent in those between 50 and 59, and 77 percent in patients 60 or older. Overall, the treatment was successful in eliminating the hepatitis C virus in 37 percent of the patients, with increasing age being associated with a poorer response rate. The findings suggest that treatment schedule should be modified, or other therapeutic modalities should be considered for older patients with chronic hepatitis C.