TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS IN ELDERLY PERSONS WITH INTERFERON-ALPHA

Background. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a health problem that is common in adults. Because screening of blood and blood products for HCV has only been possible recently, older adults are more likely than younger adults to have HCV. Despite the higher prevalence of HCV in older adu lts, few are treated. This failure to treat is a result of the concern that the untoward effects of Interferon alpha (IFN) may not be tolera ble in older individuals. Methods. Twenty-five subjects age >65 years who were Ab-HCV positive and desired IFN therapy were treated with 5 M U Interferon administered TIW for 6 months. Twenty-five adults (mean a ge 44 +/- 1 years) matched for gender and histologic disease were util ized as a control population. Responses were classified as full if the ALT level was normal, and partial if the ALT fell by >50% but was sti ll abnormal after 6 months of therapy. All other responses were define d as failures. Results. At the end of treatment, no biochemical differ ence between the elderly and younger adults was evident for any parame ter. Moreover, the response rates (48% and 41%, respectively) were nea rly identical. None of the elderly discontinued IFN therapy during the treatment period. The rate of untoward events reported by the elderly was similar to that reported by the younger controls. Conclusions. Th ese data demonstrate that: (a) the elderly with HCV infections can be treated with IFN;; (b) the response rate is similar in elderly and you nger adults; and, (c) the rate and type of untoward IFN effects experi enced by the elderly do not differ from that reported by younger adult s.