A total of 19 studies (eight prospective and uncontrolled, three prospective and controlled and eight retrospective and uncontrolled) were included in the review (n=611, range 12 to 61).
In patients who received PEG-IFN alfa plus ribavirin, the mean rate of sustained virological response after transplantation was 30.2% (range 0% to 50%; 19 studies), end-of-treatment virologic response was 42.2% (range 17% to 68%; 18 studies) and biochemical response was 54.8% (range 23% to 75%; 15 studies). The mean sustained virological response rate for genotype 1 patients was 28.7% (range 12.5% to 40%; 10 studies). Dose reduction occurred in 73% and premature discontinuation of treatment in 27.6% of treated patients. The incidence of rejection was 6.4% (range 0% to 25%). Variables most frequently associated with sustained virological response were early virologic response, infection with HCV genotype 2, adherence to therapy and baseline viraemia.