Predictors of hematological abnormalities in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon and ribavirin

Hematological abnormalities including neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia are commonly seen in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. The aim of this study was to identify factors which would help to predict the development of hematological abnormalities in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. During a 4-year period, all patients with chronic hepatitis C started on treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin were identified. Patients were defined as having hematological abnormalities if they had the presence of either anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, or a combination of the above during treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. A total of 136 patients with chronic hepatitis C were included in this study. Fifty-two (38.2%) of the patients developed significant hematological abnormalities during treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin with 28 (20.6%), 30 (22.1%), and 11 (8.1%) developed neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia, respectively. Genotype 1, history of hypertension, low baseline platelet count, low baseline hemoglobin, as well as a raised creatinine were significant factors associated with the development of hematological abnormalities. Significant hematological abnormalities are commonly present in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. This study identifies pretreatment parameters that may help identify high-risk patients who are more likely to develop hematological abnormalities during treatment for chronic hepatitis C.