Mixed cryoglobulinaemia associated with hepatitis C virus infection: A predictor factor for treatment with interferon?

Background and Aims: Mixed cryoglobulinaemia (MC) is a frequent finding amo ng patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The response to treatmen t with alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN) in these patients is linked to predicti ve factors. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether the presence of MC was a predictive factor of response in patients treated with alpha-IFN f or chronic hepatitis due to HCV. Methods: Thirty-two patients with MC and HCV infection (24 with chronic hep atitis and eight with cirrhosis) were compared with 30 patients with HCV in fection without MC (23 chronic hepatitis, seven cirrhosis) of a similar mea n age. All were treated with lymphoblastoid alpha-IFN, at 3 MU, t.i.w., for 6-12 months and then followed up. Results: No statistical difference was observed between the two groups in t erms of sustained response (P = 0.83), relapse (P = 0.88) and non-response (P = 0.92). The mean follow up was 24.3 months (range 17-28) for patients w ith sustained response and for the patients with MC and 22.6 months (range 15-26) for patients without MC. Conclusions: The presence of cryoglobulinaemia does not influence the respo nse to alpha-IFN in patients with chronic HCV infection. (C) 1999 Blackwell Science Asia Pry Ltd.