Authors' objectives:

To summarise the current research evidence on pegylated interferon alfa for hepatitis C.

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: Because of the efficacy advantage found in clinical trials more patients with chronic hepatitis C should have a sustained virological response to treatment with pegylated IFNA. - Service impact: There will be no additional impact on services for hepatitis C, and there may even be a reduction because of the reduced frequency of injections. - Patient issues: Patients may benefit from the convenience of less frequent injections, and may have a better chance of sustained response to treatment and final cure. - Financial and overall NHS impact: This is difficult to estimate because the place of pegylated INFA in the overall management of hepatitis C is unclear. Combination therapy with pegylated IFNA could be used for all those eligible for therapy; reserved for those with genotype 1, greater viral load or with cirrhosis; or used in those who do not respond to therapy with non-pegylated IFNA.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2001

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre