Table 8.
Adverse events and treatment modifications (n = 288) n (%)
| 48 wk treatment (n = 162) | 24 wk treatment (n = 126) | |
| Dose reduction | ||
| Any dose reduction | 34 (21.0) | 20 (15.9) |
| Peg-IFN only | 3 (1.9) | 6 (4.8) |
| Ribavirin only | 13 (8.0) | 4 (3.2) |
| Both peg-IFN and ribavirin | 18 (11.1) | 10 (7.9) |
| Hematological adverse events | ||
| Hemoglobin reduction = 1.5 g/dL from pretreatment value | 121 (74.7) | 85 (67.5) |
| Erythropoietin use | 99 (61.1) | 62 (49.2) |
| Severe anemia (Hgb < 7 g/dL) | 4 (2.5) | 3 (2.4) |
| WBC < 4000 cells/mm3 | 110 (67.9) | 86 (68.3) |
| Platelet reduction < 150000 cells/mm3 | 75 (46.3) | 72 (57.1) |
| General adverse events | ||
| Fatigue | 115 (71) | 89 (70.6) |
| Poor appetite | 92 (56.8) | 82 (65.1) |
| Itchiness | 16 (9.9) | 11 (8.7) |
| Skin rash | 5 (3.1) | 0 (0) |
| Joint pain | 20 (12.3) | 13 (10.3) |
| Myalgia/muscle aches | 9 (5.6) | 8 (6.3) |
| Hair loss | 34 (21) | 17 (13.5) |
| Dizziness | 36 (22.2) | 31 (24.6) |
| Insomnia | 63 (38.9) | 49 (38.9) |
| Irritability | 5 (3.1) | 2 (1.6) |
| Depression | 13 (8.0) | 5 (4.0) |
| Thyroid dysfunction | 7 (4.3) | 1 (0.8) |