Progression of initially mild fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

January 06, 2011
Investigators at Nottingham University, Digestive Diseases Center zero in on chronic hepatitis C virus
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New investigation results, 'Progression of initially mild hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection,' are detailed in a study published in Journal of Viral Hepatitis. "A significant number of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection have minimal fibrosis at presentation. Although the short-term outlook for such patients is good, there are limited data available on long-term progression," scientists writing in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis report (see also Chronic Hepatitis C Virus).

"We assessed the risk of fibrosis progression in 282 patients with chronic hepatitis C with Ishak stage 0 or 1 fibrosis on initial liver biopsy. Progression of fibrosis stage occurred in 118 patients (42%) over a median interval of 52.5 months. Thirteen (5%) progressed to severe (Ishak stage 4 or more) fibrosis. Progression was significantly associated with both age at initial biopsy [odds ratio (OR) for progression of 1.31 per 10 year increase in age] and median alanine transaminase (ALT) levels during follow-up (OR of 1.06 per 10 IU/L increase). There was no significant association with gender, histological inflammatory grade, hepatic steatosis or body mass index. We conclude that hepatitis C with initially mild fibrosis does progress in a substantial proportion of patients and should not be viewed as a benign disease," wrote M.J. Williams and colleagues, Nottingham University, Digestive Diseases Center.

The researchers concluded: "Early antiviral therapy should be considered in older patients and those with high ALT levels."

Williams and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Viral Hepatitis (Progression of initially mild hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 2011;18(1):17-22).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting M.J. Williams, Nottingham University Hospital, Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, Nottingham, UK.

Keywords: City:Nottingham, Country:United Kingdom, Chronic Hepatitis C Virus, Digestive System Diseases, Gastroenterology, Infectious Disease, Liver Diseases, Viral Hepatitis.

This article was prepared by Hepatitis Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Hepatitis Weekly via NewsRx.com.

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