Hematological Side effects of Anti-viral Therapy in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus

Haematological complications (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and anaemia) of pegylated interferon/ribavirin(PEG-IFN/RBV) in chronic hepatitis C can result in treatment cessation and suboptimal results. To investigate the nature, frequency of haematological side effects in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection and their impact on the response to PEG-IFN/RBV therapy. This cross sectional study of 3719 Egyptian patients with chronic HCV (genotype 4), who were received PEG-IFN/RBV therapy at Cairo-Fatemic Hospital, Egypt in the context of the national program was retrieved. Patients were defined as having hematological abnormalities if they had the presence of either/or a combination of following hematological parameters at least once during follow up period; drop in hemoglobin(Hb) level