Study objectives were considered as absolete regarding the arrival of new antiviral drugs in Egypt.

The aim of the study is to analyse data coming from two treatment centres of the National Treatment Program Centres of hepatitis C in Egypt

Analyse data coming from two centres of the National Treatment Program of hepatitis C in Egypt:

• 1500 patients who started treatment between April 1st 2013 and March 31st 2014 and will be seen for their week 60 visit between July 1st 2014 and June 30th 2015 (Cohort A).
• 1000 patients recruited between July 1st 2014 and estimated March 31st 2015, of which 200 are expected to be early defaulters and will be contacted by the study team (Cohort B).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age < 18 years and > 60 years
• Positive HCV antibodies using a third generation test
• Detectable HCV RNA by PCR
• Liver biopsy showing chronic hepatitis with either a METAVIR score F1 with elevated liver enzymes or scores F2/F3
• Naïve to treatment with PEG-IFN and RBV
• HBs antigen negative
• Prothrombin time ≥60 %, normal bilirubin, alpha-foeto protein < 3*normal range of the laboratory, anti-nuclear antibodies<1/160
• Effective contraception during the treatment period; no breast-feeding
• Signed informed consent and willingness to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• Serious co-morbid conditions such as severe hypertension, heart failure, significant coronary heart disease, poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1C>8%) , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Major uncontrolled depressive illness
• Solid transplant organ (renal, heart, or lung)
• Untreated thyroid disease
• History of previous anti-HCV therapy
• Body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m²
• Known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection: although HIV testing will not be proposed or done, patients with known HIV coinfection will not be included in the trial
• hypersensitivity to one of the two drugs (PEG-IFN, RBV)
• pregnancy or unwilling to comply with adequate contraception
• breast-feeding
• neutropenia (<1500/mm3)
• anaemia (<11g/dL for women ; <12g/dL for men)
• thrombocytopenia (<100.000/mm3)
• elevated creatinin (>1.5mg/dL)
• concomitant liver disease other than hepatitis C (immuno-active chronic hepatitis B, autoimmune hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, hemochromatosis, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, Wilson disease)
• liver biopsy showing severe steatosis (>66%) and steatohepatitis; decompensated cirrhosis (Child Pugh>A); hepatocellular carcinoma, METAVIR score F4.
• TSH>5 mU/L

Patients included in the study will be those with prior approval from the Ministry of Health to begin the bi-therapy and attending two centres of the National Treatment Program.