Relationships between Quantitative Electroencephalographic Alterations and the Severity of Hepatitis C Based on Liver Biopsy in Interferon-α Treated Patients

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Objective We have observed alterations of quantitative (q)-EEG findings occurring in interferon (IFN)-α treated chronic hepatitis C (CH-C) patients, and found patients age to be one factor influencing such EEG alterations. In the present study we evaluated the correlation between q-EEG alterations during IFN-α treatment and the severity of hepatitis based on liver biopsies. Methods A total of 102 CH-C patients underwent blind, prospective and serial q-EEG examinations. The IFN-α was administered under the same therapeutic regimen to all patients. Serial EEGs were obtained before, at 2 and 4 weeks, and at 2-3 days after the conclusion of treatment. The absolute powers of each frequency band in different periods were determined by q-EEG. Staging (of fibrosis) and grading (of inflammatory cell infiltration) were scaled according to Desmets classification. We evaluated the relationship between q-EEG and scales of staging or grading. Results Age distributions did not differ significantly among stages or grades. As the stage or grade increased, the alterations of EEG during IFN-α treatment became more pronounced, and significant (repeated-measures analysis of variances; both, p<0.0001). Conclusion Alterations of the EEG occurring during IFN-α treatment became pronounced with more severe pathological findings for CH-C. Alterations in the EEGs during IFN-α treatment should be carefully monitored in CH-C patients with severe pathological findings.