Study for frequency and aetiology of lymphadenopathy during combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C (pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin) at a tertiary care hospital in Hyderabad.

OBJECTIVES

To find out the frequency and etiology of lymphadenopathy at various sites distant from perihepatic region during combination therapy (pegylated interferon Alpha Plus Ribavirin) for chronic hepatitis C.

METHODS

Retrospective case-control study conducted at Medical unit I of Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro, Sind, Pakistan. The charts of 205 patients undergoing antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon alpha plus ribavirin for chronic hepatitis C at our ward from May 2009 to April 2010, were reviewed for those who developed lymphadenopathy at sites distant from perihepatic region.

RESULTS

Out of 205 patients, 130 (63.41%) were males. Mean age of males was 37.11 +/- 9.81 years and of females 42.31 +/- 8.79 years. In total, 20 (9.75%) patients in control or 10/95 (10.52%) patients treated within clinical trials, were recorded to have lymphadenopathy during combination antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C. The most common site of lymphadenopathy was inguinal region in 08 (40%), followed by cervical region in 07 (35%) patients. Majority 16 (80%) of patients having lymphadenopathy were infected with HCV genotype 3a, and 17 (85%) have achieved sustained virological response. The etiology of lymphadenopathy was reactive in most 15 (75%) of our patients, followed by tuberculosis in 03 (15%). The average time for onset of lymphadenopathy during antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C was 21 weeks.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, lymphadenopathy at various sites distant from perihepatic region appears to be higher than that documented in previous studies. In majority of our patients, the lymphadenopathy was reactive and resolved upon cessation of antiviral therapy.