|  | Total | Goup 1 | Group 2 | P value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Subjects (n) | Â | 14 | 7 | 7 | Â |
Sex (M/F) | Â | 3/11 | 2/5 | 1/6 | NS |
Age (mean ± SD) |  | 56.00 ± 12.94 | 61.30 ± 6.47 | 50.71 ± 16.00 | NS |
HCV genotype | 1b | 11 (78.57%) | 6 (85.71%) | 5 (71.43%) | NS |
 | 2a | 2 (14.29%) | 1 (14.29%) | 1 (14.29%) | NS |
 | ND (serotype 2) | 1 (7.14%) | 0 (0%) | 1 (14.29%) | NS |
HCV RNA level | High | 12 (85.71%) | 6 (85.71%) | 6 (85.71%) | NS |
 | Low | 2 (14.29%) | 1 (14.29%) | 1 (14.29%) | NS |
Weight loss during IFN therapy |  | 5.69 ± 4.57 | 8.71 ± 2.81 | 2.66 ± 4.00 | 0.0088 |
Neutrophil count (μ/L) | Before IFN | 2546.11 ± 793.47 | 2481.34 ± 599.67 | 2610.89 ± 997.36 | NS |
 | 2 weeks after IFN | 1229.11 ± 590.25 | 1260.51 ± 473.58 | 1197.70 ± 726.82 | NS |
 | 3 months after IFN | 1343.05 ± 584.48 | 1636.51 ± 670.69 | 1049.59 ± 298.98 | NS |
 | 6 months after IFN | 1319.11 ± 301.15 | 1442.69 ± 194.15 | 1195.53 ± 350.95 | NS |
 | End of treatment | 1360.21 ± 547.74 | 1420.54 ± 401.41 | 1299.87 ± 693.13 | NS |
 | 6 months after treatment | 2349.21 ± 695.36 | 2578.63 ± 716.47 | 2119.80 ± 641.48 | NS |
PLT (x10-4/μL) | Before IFN | 17.58 ± 7.06 | 17.54 ± 3.32 | 17.61 ± 9.84 | NS |
 | 2 weeks after IFN | 14.04 ± 7.28 | 14.37 ±4.70 | 13.71 ± 9.61 | NS |
 | 3 months after IFN | 13.69 ± 6.08 | 14.27 ± 5.36 | 13.11 ± 7.12 | NS |
 | 6 months after IFN | 13.20 ± 5.31 | 14.21 ± 4.72 | 12.19 ± 6.03 | NS |
 | End of treatment | 14.45 ± 5.05 | 14.50 ± 4.59 | 14.40 ± 5.84 | NS |
 | 6 months after treatment | 16.86 ± 6.03 | 18.14 ± 4.29 | 15.59 ± 7.52 | NS |
Hb (g/dL) | Before IFN | 13.97 ±1.08 | 13.91 ±1.26 | 14.03 ± 0.97 | NS |
 | 2 weeks after IFN | 13.04 ±1.06 | 13.33± 1.34 | 12.76 ± 0.67 | NS |
 | 3 months after IFN | 10.94 ±1.55 | 10.40 ±1.57 | 11.47 ±1.45 | NS |
 | 6 months after IFN | 10.61 ±1.73 | 9.81 ± 1.45 | 11.41 ± 1.70 | NS |
 | End of treatment | 10.99 ±1.74 | 10.23 ± 1.89 | 11.74 ± 1.27 | NS |
 | 6 months after treatment | 13.29 ±1.48 | 12.99 ± 2.05 | 13.59 ± 0.58 | NS |
Alb (g/dL) | Before IFN | 4.18 ± 0.35 | 4.10 ± 0.34 | 4.26 ± 0.36 | NS |
 | 2 weeks after IFN | 3.76 ± 0.48 | 3.75 ± 0.38 | 3.76 ± 0.59 | NS |
 | 3 months after IFN | 3.84 ± 0.37 | 3.76 ± 0.45 | 3.92 ± 0.28 | NS |
 | 6 months after IFN | 3.88 ± 0.33 | 3.74 ± 0.42 | 4.02 ± 0.12 | 0.0550 |
 | End of treatment | 3.90 ± 0.38 | 3.77 ± 0.35 | 4.03 ± 0.39 | NS |
 | 6 months after treatment | 4.27 ± 0.35 | 4.23 ± 0.34 | 4.30 ± 0.39 | NS |
Salivary flow (g/2 min) | Before IFN | 6.10 ± 1.81 | 5.86 ± 1.90 | 6.38 ± 1.81 | NS |
 | 2 weeks after IFN | 5.71 ± 2.60 | 5.88 ± 2.33 | 5.55 ± 3.03 | NS |
 | 3 months after IFN | 5.23 ± 2.14 | 4.92 ± 2.34 | 5.53 ± 2.06 | NS |
 | 6 months after IFN | 5.42 ± 1.97 | 5.32 ± 2.14 | 5.51 ± 1.94 | NS |
 | End of treatment | 5.31 ± 2.06 | 5.33 ± 1.58 | 5.30 ± 2.58 | NS |
 | 6 months end of IFN | 6.02 ± 1.81 | 6.03 ± 1.38 | 6.00 ± 2.28 | NS |
Diabetes mellitus | positive, n (%) | 2 (14.29%) | 1 (14.29%) | 1 (14.29%) | NS |
Oral mucosal lesions | positive, n (%) | 7 (50.00%) | 6 (85.71%) | 1 (14.29%) | 0.0075 |
Steroid for external use | positive, n (%) | 6 (42.86%) | 5 (71.43%) | 1 (14.29%) | 0.0308 |
Tooth-brushing after every meal | yes, n (%) | 8 (57.14%) | 3 (42.86%) | 5 (71.43%) | NS |
Denture wearer | yes, n (%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | 0 (0%) | NS |
Administration of antifungal agent | yes, n (%) | 2 (14.29%) | 2 (28.57%) | 0 (0%) | NS |
Effect of IFN therapy | SVR , n (%) | 11 (78.57%) | 6 (85.71%) | 5 (71.43%) | NS |