Treatment-nave adults ( 70 years ) with chronic hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection ( hepatitis C virus RNA 5 log10 IU/ml ) were randomized ( 2:1 ) to simeprevir 100mg once-daily with peginterferon -2 a/ribavirin for 12 weeks then response-guided therapy with peginterferon -2 a/ribavirin for 12 or 36 weeks , or to placebo with peginterferon -2 a/ribavirin for 12 weeks then peginterferon -2 a/ribavirin for 36 weeks .