Does Vitamin D Improves Sustained Virologic Response (SVR) in Genotype 2,3 Chronic Hepatitis C Patients?

Does Vitamin D Supplement Improve SVR in Chronic Hepatitis C (Genotype 2,3) in naïve Patients Treated With Peginterferon Alpha and Ribavirin

Standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is (Peg/RBV) combination therapy obtaining sustained virologic response (SVR) in 80% of naïve patients with genotype 2,3. Studies rarely address the issues of improving host factors. The current study examines

1. whether adding vitamin D, a potent immunomodulator, could improve viral response and shorten treatment duration (from 24 weeks to 12 weeks)
2. whether Vitamin D levels predictes negative treatment outcome.

Standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) is (Peg/RBV) combination therapy obtaining sustained virologic response (SVR) in 80% of naïve patients with genotype 2,3. Studies rarely address the issues of improving host factors. The current study examines whether adding vitamin D, a potent immunomodulator, could improve viral respons.The working hypothesis is that Adding vitamin D to conventional Peg/RBV therapy for naïve, genotype 2,3 patients with chronic HCV infection significantly improves RVR, EVR, and SVR

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 to 65 years of age,
• Chronic genotype 2,3 HCV infection, Traetment Naive
• Negative sero for HBV, HDV and HIV viral infections
• Absolute neutrophil count of >1500 per cubic millimeter, a platelet count of >90,000 per cubic millimeter
• Normal hemoglobin level

Exclusion Criteria:

• Decompensated liver disease (cirrhosis with CP score >9)
• Another cause of clinically significant liver disease
• Hepato cellular carcinoma
• Psychiatric Disorder
• Chronic heart failure
• Pregnant women
• Uncontrolled diabetes with retinopathy
• Arythmia
• Active CAD
• Positive sero for HBV, HDV and HIV viral infections or other autoimmune liver disease