Danazol improves thrombocytopenia in HCV patients treated with peginterferon and ribavirin

Abstract

Background. Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic disorder observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Combined peginterferon (PEG-INF) and ribavirin treatment may exacerbate thrombocytopenia in patients with HCV.Objective. The aim of this pilot clinical trial was to assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of Danazol in thrombocytopenia associated with PEG-INF and ribavirin treatment in patients with HCV.Material and methods. We included patients whose platelets were 100,000 platelets/mm3, and 71% of patients maintained their initial platelet levels. Sustained viral response (SVR) was achieved in 63% of patients. SVR rates were high in patients with genotype non 1 (78.7%) and decreased in patients with genotype 1 (60.1%). The increase in platelet levels was associated to an increase in fibrinogen levels and a decrease in the activity of ALT. By contrast, patients without SVR presented a delayed response to increased platelet levels and showed no significant improvement in liver function when they received Danazol.Conclusion. Danazol can be used along with PEG-INF and ribavirin to treat thrombocytopenia in patients with HCV.

Keywords

• Platelets
• Antiviral therapy
• Chronic hepatitis
• Viral hepatitis
• Sustained viral response