Can Ribavirin-related anemia predict a sustained viral response in chronic hepatitis C treated with Peginterferon plus Ribavirin?

Introduction: Ribavirin (RBV) synergistically enhances the antiviral activity and the sustained viral response (SVR) rate of interferon-based treatment in pts with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), but may also lead to dose-dependent hemolytic anemia as a major side-effect. The interindividual RBV bioavailability is highly variable, and in some pts treated with the recommended doses of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) + RBV neither RBV-related anemia nor SVR can be experienced, suggesting a lower-than-optimal RBV effect. Aim: To assess whether the lack of anemia or a negligible fall in hemoglobin (hb) level during PEG-IF…