A Study of PEGASYS (Peginterferon Alfa-2a) Plus Ribavirin in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC), Genotype 2 or 3

Virological response at the end of the treatment (ETR) was defined as the percentage of participants with negative qualitative PCR in each group at completion of the treatment. ETR is defined as Week 16 and Week 24.

Virologic Response was defined as undetectable HCV-RNA levels (determined by AMPLICOR HCV test) at Week 16 and Week 24. Virologic response rates based on genotype (G2 and G3) were reported. ETR is defined as Week 16 and Week 24.

An adverse event (AE) was defined as any untoward medical occurrence that occurred during the course of the trial after study treatment had started. An adverse event was therefore any unfavourable and unintended sign, symptom, or disease temporally associated with the use of study drug, whether or not considered related to the study drug. A Serious adverse event (SAE) is any untoward medical occurrence that at any dose results in death, are life threatening, requires hospitalization or prolongation of hospitalization or results in disability/incapacity, and congenital anomaly/birth defect.

Hemoglobin (Hb) levels at end of treatment (Week 16 and Week 24) were reported. The mean lowest Hb value after treatment starts with a median of 129 gram (g)/Litre (L). The far most frequent hemoglobin class was >=100 g/L. The purpose of assessing the Hb levels is associated with ribavirin dose. The primary toxicity of ribavirin dose (1000-1200 mg/day, maximum tolerated dose) is anemia with a reduction in hemoglobin levels generally occurring within the first 1-2 weeks of initiating therapy. Decreases in hemoglobin seen in the combination treatment of ribavirin and Interferon-alfa are managed with reduction in ribavirin dosage to 600 mg/day.

Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) is a 36-item questionnaire measuring eight domains (physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional, and mental health). Each domain score ranges from 0 (worst) to 100 (best), with higher scores reflecting better health-related functional status. Where Baseline (BS) is Week 0.

The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is a self-administered instrument that includes 9 items rated on a 7-point scale, measuring fatigue severity. The participants were asked to score each statement, based on how the statement applied to them over the preceding week. The fatigue severity score is the average of the scores on the 9 questions; scores range from 1-7, with lower scores indicating less fatigue. Baseline is defined as Week 0.

Psychiatric assessment were performed using Beschwerdeliste (BL) questionnaires. BL results were analyzed descriptively by visit, treatment group, genotype and opioid maintenance therapy status. The BL questionnaire items were scored by calculating the average response to all answered items. Items were graded 1="stark" (affliction is strong) to 4="gar nicht" (not present). The higher the BL score, the less afflictions were present for a participant. Baseline is defined as Week 0.

For the psychiatric assessment, the results of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaires were evaluated. BDI results were analyzed descriptively by visit, treatment group, genotype and opioid maintenance therapy status. BDI is 21 item participant rated inventory evaluates depression symptoms, cognition, and physical symptoms of fatigue, weight loss, lack of interest in sex. Individual items are scored on a 4 point scale (0 to 3), with 0=none/absent and 3=most severe. Total score: 0 to 63; higher score indicates more depression. Mean scores are presented by visit. Baseline is defined as Week 0.

Time to viral response was calculated as Date of first negative PCR result after screening - date of PCR screening sample + 1 [in days]. Mean of number of days to viral response for overall population were reported.