Outcome of sustained virological responders with histologically advanced chronic hepatitis C
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Open Access
- 14 May 2010
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in Hepatology
- Vol. 52 (3), 833-844
- https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.23744
Abstract
Retrospective studies suggest that subjects with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis who achieve a sustained virological response (SVR) have a lower risk of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this prospective analysis, we compared the rate of death from any cause or liver transplantation, and of liver‐related morbidity and mortality, after antiviral therapy among patients who achieved SVR, virologic nonresponders (NR), and those with initial viral clearance but subsequent breakthrough or relapse (BT/R) in the HALT‐C (Hepatitis C Antiviral Long‐Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis) Trial. Laboratory and/or clinical outcome data were available for 140 of the 180 patients who achieved SVR. Patients with nonresponse (NR; n = 309) or who experienced breakthrough or relapse (BT/R; n = 77) were evaluated every 3 months for 3.5 years and then every 6 months thereafter. Outcomes included death, liver‐related death, liver transplantation, decompensated liver disease, and HCC. Median follow‐up for the SVR, BT/R, and NR groups of patients was 86, 85, and 79 months, respectively. At 7.5 years, the adjusted cumulative rate of death/liver transplantation and of liver‐related morbidity/mortality in the SVR group (2.2% and 2.7%, respectively) was significantly lower than that of the NR group (21.3% and 27.2%, P < 0.001 for both) but not the BT/R group (4.4% and 8.7%). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for time to death/liver transplantation (HR = 0.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.06‐0.46) or development of liver‐related morbidity/mortality (HR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.06‐0.38) or HCC (HR = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.04‐0.80) was significant for SVR compared to NR. Laboratory tests related to liver disease severity improved following SVR. Conclusion: Patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C who achieved SVR had a marked reduction in death/liver transplantation, and in liver‐related morbidity/mortality, although they remain at risk for HCC. (HEPATOLOGY 2010;)This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit:
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