Characteristics of the patients (n = 17) as absolute numbers or means or means [+ or -] standard devitation. Male/female 8/9 Age (year) 57[+ or -]9 Body mass index (BMI) 26[+ or -]3 Duration of hepatitis (years) 27[+ or -]7 Genotype 1/3 16/1 One patient finished the study after 4 weeks of treatment because of deterioration of hand eczema, which was present already before onset of the study.