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International Journal of Virology

Year: 2015 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 1 | Page No.: 12-19
DOI: 10.3923/ijv.2015.12.19
Nutritional Status and Body Composition Dynamics with Peginterferon Alpha and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients
Masahiko Takahashi, Masahiro Kikuchi, Hirotoshi Ebinuma and Hidetsugu Saito

Abstract: Weight loss has been reported in patients treated with peginterferon alpha (Peg-IFN-α) and ribavirin, however, the pathophysiological mechanism of this weight loss is unclear. We prospectively evaluated the nutritional status, body composition and dietary intake of 10 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with Peg-IFN-α and ribavirin, before, at the end of and at 6 months after treatment. Nutritional status and body composition were evaluated by using anthropometric analyses and Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) with a body composition analyzer. Body weight, body mass index and total energy intake were significantly (p<0.05) reduced at the end of treatment compared with before treatment, however, at 6 months after treatment, they were recovered to before-treatment levels. In anthropometric analyses, percent Triceps Skinfold Thickness (TSF%) which represents body fat mass was significantly (p<0.05) decreased at the end of treatment compared with before treatment, whereas, percent Arm Muscle Circumference (AMC%) which represents body muscle was not. In the BIA, body fat mass was also significantly (p<0.05) decreased, whereas, skeletal muscle mass was not. There were no significant changes in grip strength and serum albumin level. Decreased TSF% and body fat mass were also recovered to before treatment values at 6 months after treatment. The body weight loss observed during Peg-IFN-α-2b and ribavirin was attributable to body fat mass decrease rather than skeletal muscle mass decrease. Decreased body weight and decreased body fat mass were recovered to before treatment values at 6 months after treatment without body composition change.

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How to cite this article
Masahiko Takahashi, Masahiro Kikuchi, Hirotoshi Ebinuma and Hidetsugu Saito, 2015. Nutritional Status and Body Composition Dynamics with Peginterferon Alpha and Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients. International Journal of Virology, 11: 12-19.

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