The effectiveness of traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo), in combination with pegylated interferon α plus ribavirin for patients with chronic hepatitis C : A pilot study

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  • Kainuma Mosaburo
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Furusyo Norihiro
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Murata Masayuki
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Ihara Takeshi
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Ikezaki Hiroaki
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Toyoda Kazuhiro
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Ogawa Eiichi
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Okada Kyoko
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital
  • Hayashi Jun
    Department of General Internal Medicine, Kyushu University Hospital

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Abstract

Background: Kampo medicine has been shown to be useful for reducing the adverse effects of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) α-2b plus ribavirin (RBV). The study was done to determine if Kampo would have a synergistic effect with PEG-IFNα-2b plus RBV that would improve their effectiveness in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. <br />Methods: From a total of 51 chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, 26 received PEG-IFNα-2b plus RBV treatment combined with Kampo medicine (group A) and 25 received only the standard treatment (group B). Group B patients were prescribed a mixture of shimbuto and ninjinto extract to be taken three times a day before meals.<br />Results: The early virological response (EVR) and sustained virological response (SVR) rates were significantly higher in group A than in group B (EVR: 84.6%, 22 of 26 vs 56.0%, 14 of 25, P=0.034: SVR: 76.9%, 20 of 26 vs 48.0%, 12 of 25, P=0.033). 22 of 26 patients in group A (84.6%) and 18 of 25 patients in group B (72.0%) received at least the minimum acceptable dosage (at least 80% or more of the target PEG-IFNα-2b and 60% or more of RBV) during treatment, with no significant between group difference in the rate of SVR. <br />The discontinuation rate was significantly lower in group A, in which no patients discontinued, than in group B (20.0%, 5 of 25) (P=0.023). <br />Conclusions: A mixture of shimbuto and ninjinto reduced the discontinuation rate and improved the treatment efficacy of patients with chronic HCV treated with PEG-IFNα-2b plus RBV.

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