Hepatitis C virus eradication decreases the risks of liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related complications (Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C cohort).

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM:

It is currently unknown how hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication with pegylated interferon and ribavirin (PR) therapy affects the incidence of new-onset liver cirrhosis (LC) in patients without cirrhosis and the incidence of decompensated liver disease (DLD) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS:

Taiwanese chronic hepatitis C cohort (T-COACH) is a nationwide HCV registry cohort from 23 hospitals in Taiwan recruited between 2003 and 2015. This study enrolled 10 693 patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), linked to the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, receiving PR therapy for at least 4 weeks for new-onset LC and liver-related complications (DLD or HCC).

RESULTS:

Of the 10 693 patients, 1372 (12.8%) patients had LC, and the mean age was 54.0 ± 11.4 years. The mean follow-up duration was 4.38 ± 2.79 years, with overall 46 798 person-years. The 10-year cumulative incidence rates of new-onset LC were 5.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-7.7) in patients without cirrhosis with a sustained virologic response (SVR) and 21.9% (95% CI: 13.4-32.4) in those without SVR (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.22, P < 0.001). The 10-year cumulative incidence rates of liver-related complications were 21.4% (95% CI: 11.1-37.2) in patients with cirrhosis with SVR and 47.0% (95% CI: 11.1-86.0) in those without SVR after adjustment for age, sex, and competing mortality (HR: 0.52, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Hepatitis C virus eradication with PR therapy decreased the incidence of new-onset LC in noncirrhotic patients and the incidence of liver-related complications in cirrhotic patients with CHC.

• Authors: Wei-Fan Hsu, Pei-Chein Tsai, Chi-Yi Chen, Kuo-Chih Tseng, Hsueh-Chou Lai, Hsing-Tao Kuo, Chao-Hung Hung, Shui-Yi Tung, Jing-Houng Wang, Jyh-Jou Chen, Pei-Lun Lee, Ron-Nan Chien, Chun-Yen Lin, Chi-Chieh Yang, Gin-Ho Lo, Chi-Ming Tai, Chih-Wen Lin, Jia-Horng Kao, Chun-Jen Liu, Chen-Hua Liu, Sheng-Lei Yan, Ming-Jong Bair, Wei-Wen Su, Cheng-Hsin Chu, Chih-Jen Chen, Ching-Chu Lo, Pin-Nan Cheng, Yen-Cheng Chiu, Chia-Chi Wang, Jin-Shiung Cheng, Wei-Lun Tsai, Han-Chieh Lin, Yi-Hsiang Huang, Jee-Fu Huang, Chia-Yen Dai, Wan-Long Chuang, Ming-Lung Yu, Cheng-Yuan Peng
• Journal: Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology (J Gastroenterol Hepatol) Vol. 36 Issue 10 Pg. 2884-2892 (Oct 2021) ISSN: 1440-1746 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 33963615 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antiviral Agents (therapeutic use)
• Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (drug therapy)
• Hepacivirus
• Hepatitis C (drug therapy)
• Hepatitis C, Chronic (complications, drug therapy, epidemiology)
• Humans
• Incidence
• Liver Cirrhosis (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Liver Neoplasms (epidemiology, etiology, prevention & control)
• Middle Aged
• Sustained Virologic Response