Abstract

Introduction: Adverse effects of peginterferon/ribavirin therapy and sociodemographic factors are known to modify hematological parameters. The present study was aimed to evaluate the impact of sociodemographic characteristics on laboratorial blood profile during treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC). Method: This is a Cohort of 136 patients with CHC in treatment with peginterferon/ribavirin. Sociodemographic and laboratorial profile were collected in the baseline, 4^th and 12^th weeks of treatment. Results: The mean age of patients was 53±11.7 years, 78 (57.4%) were men, 119 (87.5%) were Caucasian. Hemoglobin levels decreased along the treatment from baseline (14.3 ±1.7 g/dL) to 4^th (12.0 ±1.8 g/dL) and 12^th (11.5 ±1.6 g/dL; p=0.001). Leukocytes values also decreased from baseline to 4^th and 12^th weeks of treatment (6805.6 ±6574.3/mm³; 3827.6 ±1650.3/mm³ and 3541 ±2056/mm³, respectively; p=0.001), as well as platelets values (175168.06 ±60846.7mm³, 138612.06 ±59356.6/mm³, and 127279.1 ±56333.6/mm³, respectively; p=0.001). Men had greater values of hemoglobin along treatment (p=0.001), while older (p=0.012) and non-Caucasian patients (p=0.008) have lower values. Platelets levels were reduced in older (p=0.007) and men patients (p=0.001) along treatment. Conclusion: social factors as sex, age, and ethnicity, showed greater impact on hematological variables during CHC treatment, revealing an important point to be considered since may influence the management of treatment.