Long-term outcome of kidney transplantation in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

The impact of HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection on the long-term outcome of kidney transplant patients is controversial.

METHODOLOGY:

Eighty-four renal allograft recipients who were seronegative for hepatitis B surface antigen and had been screened for antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) were included. The outcome and survival were compared between anti-HCV-positive (n = 30, group 1) and anti-HCV-negative (n = 54, group 2) kidney transplant patients. Group 1 patients were further compared to 52 anti-HCV-positive end-stage renal disease patients (group 3) who were on chronic dialysis.

RESULTS:

Group 1 patients had a higher prevalence of chronic hepatitis than group 2 and group 3 patients did (67% vs. 2% and 31%). Liver-related complications and deaths between group 1 and group 2, and group 1 and group 3 patients were not significantly different. The comparisons of the long-term survival between these groups showed no significant differences, despite group 3 patients had a higher overall mortality rate. Cox regression analysis confirmed that age more than 45 years was the only independent factor that affected survival in anti-HCV-positive end-stage renal disease patients with or without kidney transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS:

HCV infection is not a contraindication to kidney transplantation. For anti-HCV-positive end stage renal disease patients, survival is better in younger patients, and is not influenced by kidney transplantation or continuing dialysis.

• Authors: T I Huo, W C Yang, J C Wu, K L King, C Y Lin, C C Loong, W Y Lui, F Y Chang, S D Lee
• Journal: Hepato-gastroenterology (Hepatogastroenterology) 2001 Jan-Feb Vol. 48 Issue 37 Pg. 169-73 ISSN: 0172-6390 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 11268958 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• Immunosuppressive Agents

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Child
• Female
• Graft Rejection
• Hepatitis C Antibodies (analysis)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (complications)
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Kidney Failure, Chronic (complications, surgery, therapy)
• Kidney Transplantation (mortality)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Renal Dialysis
• Survival Analysis
• Survival Rate
• Treatment Outcome