Reviewer's report 
 Retreatment of hepatitis C non-responsive to Interferon. A placebo controlled randomized trial Title: 
of Ribavirin monotherapy versus combination therapy with Ribavirin and Interferon in 121 patients in 
the Benelux. 
Authors: 
Bart J. Veldt ( b.veldt@erasmusmc.nl )
Johannes T. Brouwer ( brouwerj@rdgg.nl )
Michael Adler ( madler@ulb.ac.be )
Frederik Nevens ( frederik.nevens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be )
Peter Michielsen ( peter.michielsen@uza.uia.ac.be )
Dr Jean Delwaide ( jacques.belaiche@chu.ulg.ac.be )
Bettina E. Hansen ( b.hansen@erasmusmc.nl )
Prof Solko W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 1  24 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Kim Krogsgaard Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
This is a very well planned study that during the years 1992 to 1996 included a total of 121 patients 
with chronic hepatitis C. All patients had previously failed IFN monotherapy. In the study patients 
were randomised to 6 moths of i)IFN and ribavirin combination therapy or ii) ribavirin monotherapy or 
iii) ribavirin placebo. 
As the authors phrase it, it is a 'belated' report and it is therefore not surprising that very little is 
added to our understanding of hepatitis C treatment. 
However, it is my firm belief that all well planned, clinical relevant studies should be reported and published. 
Overall this is a clearly written manuscript which includes all necessary information. I have no 
specific comments our suggestions for the authors 
Competing interests: 
None declared. 
Reviewer's report 
 Retreatment of hepatitis C non-responsive to Interferon. A placebo controlled randomized trial Title: 
of Ribavirin monotherapy versus combination therapy with Ribavirin and Interferon in 121 patients in 
the Benelux. 
Authors: 
Bart J. Veldt ( b.veldt@erasmusmc.nl )
Johannes T. Brouwer ( brouwerj@rdgg.nl )
Michael Adler ( madler@ulb.ac.be )
Frederik Nevens ( frederik.nevens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be )
Peter Michielsen ( peter.michielsen@uza.uia.ac.be )
Dr Jean Delwaide ( jacques.belaiche@chu.ulg.ac.be )
Bettina E. Hansen ( b.hansen@erasmusmc.nl )
Prof Solko W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 1  24 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Kim Krogsgaard Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
This is a very well planned study that during the years 1992 to 1996 included a total of 121 patients 
with chronic hepatitis C. All patients had previously failed IFN monotherapy. In the study patients 
were randomised to 6 moths of i)IFN and ribavirin combination therapy or ii) ribavirin monotherapy or 
iii) ribavirin placebo. 
As the authors phrase it, it is a 'belated' report and it is therefore not surprising that very little is 
added to our understanding of hepatitis C treatment. 
However, it is my firm belief that all well planned, clinical relevant studies should be reported and published. 
Overall this is a clearly written manuscript which includes all necessary information. I have no 
specific comments our suggestions for the authors 
Competing interests: 
None declared. 
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report 
 Retreatment of hepatitis C non-responsive to Interferon. A placebo controlled randomized trial Title: 
of Ribavirin monotherapy versus combination therapy with Ribavirin and Interferon in 121 patients in 
the Benelux. 
Authors: 
Bart J. Veldt ( b.veldt@erasmusmc.nl )
Johannes T. Brouwer ( brouwerj@rdgg.nl )
Michael Adler ( madler@ulb.ac.be )
Frederik Nevens ( frederik.nevens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be )
Peter Michielsen ( peter.michielsen@uza.uia.ac.be )
Dr Jean Delwaide ( jacques.belaiche@chu.ulg.ac.be )
Bettina E. Hansen ( b.hansen@erasmusmc.nl )
Prof Solko W. Schalm ( s.schalm@erasmusmc.nl )
 1  24 Jun 2003 Version: Date: 
 Kim Krogsgaard Reviewer: 
 A paper whose findings are important to those with closely related research Level of interest: 
interests 
 Accept without revision Advice on publication: 
This is a very well planned study that during the years 1992 to 1996 included a total of 121 patients 
with chronic hepatitis C. All patients had previously failed IFN monotherapy. In the study patients 
were randomised to 6 moths of i)IFN and ribavirin combination therapy or ii) ribavirin monotherapy or 
iii) ribavirin placebo. 
As the authors phrase it, it is a 'belated' report and it is therefore not surprising that very little is 
added to our understanding of hepatitis C treatment. 
However, it is my firm belief that all well planned, clinical relevant studies should be reported and published. 
Overall this is a clearly written manuscript which includes all necessary information. I have no 
specific comments our suggestions for the authors 
Competing interests: 
None declared. 
assistant