Portal pressure predicts outcome and safety of antiviral therapy in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Abstract

BACKGROUND & AIMS:

There are limited data on the efficacy and safety of antiviral therapy in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis, particularly on the impact of portal hypertension.

METHODS:

We assessed hepatovenous pressure gradient (HVPG), liver stiffness (transient elastography), and interleukin (IL)-28B polymorphisms (rs12979860) in 90 cirrhotic patients with HCV infection (82% genotype 1 or 4) before antiviral therapy with pegylated interferon and ribavirin. Efficacy and safety were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Rates of sustained virologic response were significantly lower among patients with clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH; HVPG ≥ 10 mm Hg; n = 50) than among patients without CSPH (HVPG <10 mm Hg; n = 40): 14% vs 51% (P = .0007). Seventy-nine percent and 83% of patients with CSPH and without CSPH, respectively, received more than 80% of planned dose (P = .647). The predictive value of HVPG (area under the curve [AUC], 0.743) was greater than that of liver stiffness (AUC, 0.647) or of baseline HCV RNA levels (AUC, 0.620). The IL-28B polymorphism was not associated significantly with a sustained virologic response. Multivariate analysis revealed that HVPG (odds ratio [OR], 14.3; P = .009), baseline HCV RNA levels (OR, 5.3; P = .019), and HCV genotype (OR, 6.5; P = .046) were independent risk factors for treatment failure. A trend toward higher incidence of anemia and neutropenia was observed for patients with CSPH. The incidence and grade of thrombocytopenia were significantly higher among patients with than without CSPH (94% vs 75%; P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS:

HVPG is an independent predictor of response to antiviral therapy, with better predictive value than liver stiffness, baseline HCV RNA levels, HCV genotype, or IL-28B polymorphism. The incidence and grade of thrombocytopenia during antiviral therapy are higher among patients with CSPH. In evaluating cirrhotic HCV patients for antiviral treatment, measurement of HVPG should be considered.

• Authors: Thomas Reiberger, Karoline Rutter, Arnulf Ferlitsch, Berit Anna Payer, Harald Hofer, Sandra Beinhardt, Michael Kundi, Peter Ferenci, Alfred Gangl, Michael Trauner, Markus Peck-Radosavljevic
• Journal: Clinical gastroenterology and hepatology : the official clinical practice journal of the American Gastroenterological Association (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 9 Issue 7 Pg. 602-8.e1 (Jul 2011) ISSN: 1542-7714 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 21397726 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2011 AGA Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• IFNL3 protein, human
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha
• Interleukins
• Recombinant Proteins
• Polyethylene Glycols
• Ribavirin
• Interferons
• peginterferon alfa-2b
• peginterferon alfa-2a

Topics

• Adult
• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Elasticity Imaging Techniques (methods)
• Female
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (complications, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Interferon alpha-2
• Interferon-alpha (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Interferons
• Interleukins (genetics)
• Liver (pathology)
• Liver Cirrhosis (diagnosis, pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Polyethylene Glycols (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Polymorphism, Genetic
• Portal Pressure (physiology)
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Prognosis
• Recombinant Proteins
• Ribavirin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Thrombocytopenia (chemically induced)
• Treatment Outcome