Browse by author
Lookup NU author(s): Dr Dina Tiniakos
Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.
Background & Aims: HCV infection in haemodialysis (HD) patients is still a matter of investigation. The aim of this study was to determine the histology of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in HCV-infected HD patients within the context of a comparative analysis including non-uraemic patients with CHC. The relative importance of virological, demographic and clinical parameters on disease manifestation was examined. Methods: Sixty-one consecutive liver biopsies from HD patients and 326 from non-uraemic patients with chronic HCV infection were comparatively evaluated. Results: Haemodialysis patients with CHC were older than control subjects (P = 0.031), showing a similar HCV genotype distribution (P = 0.328) and lower viral load (P = 0.001). CHC in HD patients was significantly milder according to stage (P = 0.033), grade and its parameters (periportal activity, portal inflammation and lobular activity) (P < 0.001). The frequency of lymphoid aggregates (10.2% vs 50%, P < 0.001), bile duct lesions (1.7% vs 22.1%, P < 0.001) and extent of steatosis (P = 0.022) in HD group was significantly reduced. Multivariate analysis showed that non-uraemic patients had 2.3 times higher risk of developing steatosis independently of genotype distribution and age. In HD group, genotype 3, longer HD duration and age at infection were significantly associated with steatosis, while older age at infection correlated with advanced fibrosis. Conclusions: Chronic hepatitis C in HD patients is usually very mild, losing its diagnostic histological features while patient's age and age at infection retain their prognostic significance. The weak inflammatory response, probably because of immunocompromised status and low viral load, may present a beneficial factor in the natural course of the disease.
Author(s): Sakellariou S, Boletis JN, Sypsa V, Psichogiou M, Tiniakos D, Delladetsima I
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Liver International
Year: 2014
Volume: 34
Issue: 6
Pages: e56-e61
Print publication date: 01/07/2014
Online publication date: 17/12/2013
Acceptance date: 16/11/2013
ISSN (print): 1478-3223
ISSN (electronic): 1478-3231
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell Publishnig, Inc.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/liv.12413
DOI: 10.1111/liv.12413
PubMed id: 25234282
Altmetrics provided by Altmetric
