HEPATITIS C (HCV) clinical trials

Acupuncture as an Adjunctive Treatment for Hepatitis C Patients

Objective: to study the effect of Acupuncture on liver cirrhosis, SVR and health related quality of life in HCV patients receiving standard treatment (Peg Interferon+ Ribavirin). Methods: 60 HCV patients receiving standard treatment (Peg Interferon+ Ribavirin) will undergo Serologic screening for hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV EIAs and/or recombinant immunoblot assay) plus Transient Ultrasound Elastography (FibroScan) to achieve baseline characteristics(17,18,19). Patients will be randomized into intervention and control groups, 30 patients each.In the Intervention group each patient will receive an acupuncture treatment once a week for 12 consecutive weeks(Max 12, Min 8 treatments). Treatment protocol will be individualized for each patient according to TCM diagnosis. This treatment protocol is acceptable and has been published(20,21,22).In the control group patients will receive standard treatment alone, with no other intervention. Data collection: after 12 weeks patients will again undergo Serologic screening for hepatitis C virus (Anti-HCV EIAs and/or recombinant immunoblot assay) plus Transient Ultrasound Elastography (FibroScan) in order to detect changes from baseline and group differences. Inclusion criteria: adult patients with a confirmed HCV infection Exclusion criteria: Under 18 years Can not receive standard Peg interferon+ ribavirin treatment for any reason Psychiatric diagnosis Anaemia of hematologic origin Diabetic patient with uncontrolled diabetes Congestive heart failure, arrhythmia Hepatocellular carcinoma HIV infection Hepatitis B infection Auto immune liver disease or alcoholic liver disease Study duration: 1 year Study Location: "Ziv" medical center, division of liver disease, Israel