A case–control histological study on the effects of phlebotomy in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Objective The aim of this study was to assess the actual effectiveness of long-term phlebotomy by comparing histological improvement (HI) in 69 Caucasian HCV-RNApositive CHC patients undergoing phlebotomy or receiving an interferon-based therapy without virological response [nonresponders to interferon therapy(IBT-NR)]. Methods HI was defined by at least one point reduction of the staging score or, in the case of unchanged stage, by at least two points reduction of the grading score (Knodel’s Activity Index) and was retrospectively evaluated by comparing two consecutive (56±28 months apart) liver biopsies from 30 phlebotomized and 39 IBT-NR patients.