Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus in Elderly Persons With Interferon

Abstract

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 adults, few are treated. This failure to treat is a result of the concern that the untoward effects of Interferon a (IFN) may not be tolerable in older individuals. Methods. Twenty-five subjects age >65 years who were Ab-HCV positive and desired IFN therapy were treated with 5 MU Interferon administered TIW for 6 months. Twenty-five adults (mean age 44 ± 1 years) matched for gender and histologic disease were utilized 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 still abnormal after 6 months of therapy. All other responses were defined as failures. Results. At the end of treatment, no biochemical difference between the elderly and younger adults was evident for any parameter. Moreover, the response rates (48% and 41%, respectively) were nearly 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. These data demonstrate that: (a) the elderly with HCV infections can be treated with IFN; (b) the response rate is similar in elderly and younger adults; and, (c) the rate and type of untoward IFN effects experienced by the elderly do not differ from that reported by younger adults.