Increased serum ferritin (SF) level has been encountered in various conditions, such as inflammatory syndromes and iron deposits in he¬patic mesenchymal cell. Interferon alpha is one of the stimulants of fer¬ritin production; serum iron level may affect the treatment response of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) . The aim of the study was to find out the rela¬tionship between SF level and response to treatment of CHC by peg in¬terferon and ribavirin. Methods: Data from 200 consecutive patients with CHC, fulfilling the criteria for treatment, were collected. Baseline SF level was measured and correlated to the therapeutic outcome. Re¬sults: Early virological response (EVR) was achieved in 84% of the pa¬tients, while Sustained Virological Response (SVR) was achieved in 53% of patients. EVR was significantly related to low viral load, fibrosis stage, alfa fetoprotein and low serum ferritin level (P= |
