COMBINED ANTIVIRAL TREATMENT OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION WITH PEGYLATED INTERFERON (PEG-IFN) Α-2A (PEGFERON) AND RIBAVIRIN (COPEGUS) IN INMATES.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of combined antiviral therapy in prisoners with HCV. In total, 210 patients with chronic C hepatitis have been observed. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to HCV genotype: Group I: - 70 patients infected with genotype 1a/1b; Group II: - 70 patients infected with genotype 2a/2b; Group III: - 70 patients infected with genotype 3a. As for the patients with genotype I: RVR - rapid virological response was negative in 100%; EVR - early virological response was negative in 99%; EOT - end of treatment results was negative in 94% and SVR- sustained virologic response was negative in 91%. In patients with genotype II: RVR - rapid virological response was negative in 100%, EVR - early virological response was negative in 99%, EOT - end of treatment results was negative in 96% and SVR-sustained virologic response was negative in 91%. In patients with genotype III: RVR - rapid virological response was negative in 100%, EVR - early virological response was negative in 94%, EOT - end of treatment results was negative in 94% and SVR- sustained virologic response was negative in 93%. According to our observations, side effects and their management, do not differ significantly from the antiviral therapy in other populations. Despite the differences in psychological conditions, which is common for this type of institutions, the program is having beneficial effects and the obtained results justify expedience of continuation as it will not only improve quality of life in prisoners but also reduce medical costs related to disease progression and prevent further dissemination of hepatitis C as inside of penal institutions/prisons as well as throughout the country.