THE EFFECT OF INTERFERON AND RIBAVIRIN TREATMENT ON HEARING LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

Objective: Combination of interferon (IFN) alfa and ribavirin therapy is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Various side effects such as flu like symptoms, depression, autoimmune tiroiditis, vertigo, skin rashs, acute myocarditis and bone marrow supression may be seen with this therapy, however, the effect on hearing levels is not clearly evaluated. In this study, we investigated the effect of IFN alfa-2b and ribavirin combination therapy on the hearing levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Material and Method: Nineteen patients, who diagnosed as chronic hepatitis C and performed audiogram were included the study. Diagnosis was made by HCV-RNA positivity and liver biopsy. Combination of IFN alfa-2b (3 MU, 3 days in a week, sc) and ribavirin (1000-1200 mg/day, po) was given to patiens for 12 months. Audiograms were performed to patiens before and 3rd, 6th, 12th months during the therapy and 6th months after the therapy. In audiograms, pure tone average and speech thresholds values were measured as decibels; in addition, speech discrimination rate was detected (speech discrimination-SD, %). Paired t test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: Eleven of patiens were men and 8 of them were women. Mean age was 50.1 years (21-68 years). No significant differences were found in pure tone average, speech thresholds values and speech discrimination rates on audiogram of patients, before and 3rd, 6th, 12th months during the therapy and 6th months after the therapy (p>0.05). Conclusion: Combination of IFN alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy does not effect the hearing levels in patients with chronic hepatitis C.