@article {112166, title = {Molecular assessment of Vitamin D receptor polymorphism as a valid predictor to the response of Interferon/Ribavirin based therapy in Egyptian patients with Chronic Hepatitis C.}, journal = {Journal of digestive diseases}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Apr 29}, abstract = {

BACKGROUND/AIM: Egypt has the highest prevalence rate of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection around the globe, where, chronic hepatits C (CHC) is considered a major health problem. The standard treatment of CHC is combination therapy of pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Successful treatment and sustained virological response (SVR) are only achieved in 30\% of patients. Major adverse effects and high cost of the treatment makes predicting the treatment output is an important approach. The aim of this study to find an association between Vitamin D concentration and vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms with achieving SVR.

METHODS: This is a case control study in which; 250 patients recruited and were divided into 3 groups (100 CHC patients who achieved SVR, 100 CHC patients who did not achieve SVR, and 50 apparently healthy individuals as control). Blood samples were collected to measure vitamin D concentration and 4 VDR polymorphisms (FokI, ApaI, TaqI, and BsmI) were detected using RFLP-PCR.

RESULTS: Non responders were found to have significantly low vitamin D concentration compared to responders and control groups. Concerning VDR polymorphisms, both FokI and TaqI polymorphisms were associated to successful treatment.

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D concentration, FokI, and TaqI may be considered as one of the predictors for the response of CHC patients to combination of pegylated interferon and ribvirin therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

}, issn = {1751-2980}, doi = {10.1111/1751-2980.12353}, author = {Abdelsalam, Ahmed and Laila Rashed and Salman, Tarek and Hammad, Lamiaa and Dina Sabry} }