The Role Of Nitazoxanide, Interferon Alfa And Ribavirin In Treatment Of Hepatitis C Infected Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The Role Of Nitazoxanide, Interferon Alfa And Ribavirin In Treatment Of Hepatitis C Infected Type 2 Diabetic Patients

The purpose of this study is to investigate if nitazoxanide used in combination with interferon alfa and ribavirin is effective in treating Hepatitis c infected type 2 Diabetic patients by improving their sustained viral response by more than 80%.Considering that the study is being conducted in a third world country like Pakistan, the standard treatment of hepatitis C is not cost effective. The aim is to introduce a new treatment comparable in efficacy to peginterferon and also cost effective.

After taking proper informed consent from patients, patients who fulfill the research criteria are randomized into 2 groups (control/study). Patients in both groups will be treated with conventional interferon alfa and Ribavirin.Those in study group will be given tab nitazoxanide 500mg twice daily in addition to conventional treatment. The patients will be followed up at regular intervals: 0,4,12,24,48 week.At each visit Hepatitis C Virus(PCR)RNA, Liver function tests, complete blood count will be done.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Hepatitis C genotype 3a
• Hepatitis C Virus(PCR)RNA Detected
• Alanine transaminase >60
• Diabetic HbA1c<8
• BMI>23

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previously treated Hepatitis C patients
• Pregnant females
• Decompensated liver disease,Child class B OR above
• Thyroid disease,Thyroid stimulating hormone>10,0.05
• Absolute neutrophil count<1500,Platelets<80,000,Hb<10g Female,<11g Male
• Severe cardiac disease,New York Heart Association2
• Moderate to severe depression assessed by Beck Depression Inventory scale