Objective: To determine frequency of thyroid dysfunction among patients of chronic hepatitis C receiving combined pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan to Jul 2017. Methodology: One hundred and twenty patients, aged 18–60 years from both genders, with established hepatitis C were included; while the patients with decompensated liver disease, previous antiviral treatment, pre-existing thyroid, autoimmune or severe cardiopulmonary disease and on immuno-suppressants or steroids were excluded. After formal informed consent, they were prescribed 24 weeks pegylated interferon alpha-2 (3 million units subcutaneously thrice weekly) and oral ribavirin (1000–1200 mg daily) therapy. After 12 weeks, serum thyroid stimulating hormone, free thyroxine and triiodothyronine levels were determined by chemiluminescence technique. Results: Out of 120 patients, 100 (83.33%) were males and 20 (16.67%) were females with male to female ratio of 5:1. Mean thyroid stimulating hormone levels at baseline and 12 weeks were 2.86 ± 1.03uiu/ml and 2.16 ± 0.79 uiu/ml respectively. Mean triiodothyronine levels at baseline and 12 weeks were 3.27 ± 1.31pg/ml and 2.69 ± 1.01 pg/ml respectively. Mean thyroxine levels at baseline and 12 weeks were 1.26 ± 0.38 pg/ml and 1.07 ± 0.53 pg/ml respectively. Frequency of thyroid dysfunction was found in 40 (33.33%) patients. Conclusion: Frequency of thyroid dysfunction among hepatitis C patients receiving combined pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy is quite high.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.