As
reported in the August 2007 Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 1641 hepatitis
C patients recruited from 8 European centers in 1996-1997 (the HENCORE cohort)
were re-analyzed 5-7 years after enrollment. The occurrence of decompensated cirrhosis,
HCC, and liver transplantation was analyzed in relation to different host and
viral factors.
Results
•
93%
of the patients who had cleared the virus spontaneously or after antiviral therapy
remained HCV RNA negative during follow up and may be considered "cured."
•
Among patients who were sustained virological responders
at inclusion, just 2.3% developed liver complications during follow up, compared
with 31% of treatment non-responders.
•
Older age at the time of infection and presence of the
human leukocyte antigen (HLA) DRB1*1201-3 allele were possibly associated with
a higher rate of progression to decompensated cirrhosis or HCC.
•
Decompensated cirrhosis might be further associated with
male sex, non-response to previous therapy, and lack of the HLA DRB1*1301 allele,
while HCC seems to be associated with the presence of the HLA DQ02 allele.
Conclusion
"Long-term
follow up of HCV patients indicates that virological response persists over time
and is associated with a very low incidence of liver complications," the
study authors wrote.
They added that, "Advanced age at inclusion,
advanced age at infection, viral genotype 1, non-response to previous therapy
and possibly some specific HLA alleles are factors independently associated with
a faster rate of progression towards liver complications."
08/24/07
Reference P
Pradat, HL Tillmann, S Sauleda, and others. Long-term follow-up of the hepatitis
C HENCORE cohort: response to therapy and occurrence of liver-related complications.
Journal of Viral Hepatitis 14(8): 556-563. August 2007.
As
reported in the August 2007 Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 1641 hepatitis
C patients recruited from 8 European centers in 1996-1997 (the HENCORE cohort)
were re-analyzed 5-7 years after enrollment. The occurrence of decompensated cirrhosis,
HCC, and liver transplantation was analyzed in relation to different host and
viral factors. 