USE OF INTERFERON FOR THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C IN THE ELDERLY

Hepatitis C virus is a worldwide health care problem. It affects all a ge groups. Many patients have had the infection for 20-30 years before they present for therapy. With a peak incidence of disease in the 30- 40 year age group, it is obvious that a large number of cases must occ ur in the elderly (age > 65 years), Of these, a fraction progress to c irrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Interferon is the only agent ap proved for use in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The efficacy of i nterferon in younger patients is reported to be 50%. Half of these wil l experience a relapse within 1 year. There are few studies assessing the role of interferon used for elderly patients with chronic hepatiti s C. The reported response rate to interferon in elderly patients was 60%, with 30% having a virologic/complete response. These studies demo nstrate that the elderly tolerate interferon reasonably well. No signi ficant differences have been reported between elderly and young treatm ent groups.