Increased prevalence of reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate in chronic hepatitis C patients

HCV cirrhotic patients treated with direct-acting antivirals: Detection of tubular dysfunction and resolution after viral clearance

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been identified in tubular epithelial cells of infected patients; however, the presence of tubular dysfunction, which is a risk factor for chronic kidney disease (CKD), has never been examined in vivo. The present prospective longitudinal study aimed to estimate the prevalence of tubular dysfunction alone or with glomerular damage and its evolution after HCV clearance in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

One hundred and thirty-five consecutive Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients were evaluated before antiviral treatment and 6 months after the end of therapy. Tubular dysfunction was evaluated by urinary alpha1-microglobulin to creatinine ratio (α1-MCR), and glomerular damage was assessed by urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).

RESULTS

Almost all the patients (93.3%) showed a normal or mildly decreased e-GFR (KDIGO-G1/G2-categories). Tubular dysfunction was found in 23.7% (32/135) of patients, co-occurring with glomerular damage in 37.5% (12/32) of cases, while glomerular damage was found in 16.3% (22/135) of patients. In multiple logistic regression, glomerular damage and the concomitant presence of diabetes and hypertension were the only predictors significantly associated with tubular dysfunction. After HCV clearance, patients experienced a significant reduction of α1-MCR levels (21.0 vs 10.5 μg/mg, P = .009) and tubular dysfunction resolved in 57.1% of subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

Tubular dysfunction is an unrecognized feature of HCV-related kidney disease in cirrhotic patients and its presence should be primarily investigated in subjects with glomerular damage, diabetes and hypertension, despite normal e-GFR. Tubular dysfunction resolves in the majority of cases after HCV clearance; however, it may persist after antiviral treatment and further studies should evaluate its long-term impact on kidney function.

Age and gender differences in the relationship between hepatitis C infection and all stages of Chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a worldwide health issue with heavy economic burden. Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a common cause of CKD, which can significantly impact the progression and mortality among patients with CKD. The prevalence of both illnesses is high in Taiwan. A multicentre and population-based cross-sectional study including 24 642 subjects was conducted to explore the association of HCV infection with the prevalence and severity of CKD. The measurements of metabolic parameters, eGFR and CKD stages were compared between subjects with HCV seropositivity and seronegativity. The analyses of association between HCV infection with CKD stages and evaluation of potential risk factors of CKD were performed by gender and age (≤ and >45 years). HCV-seropositive subjects accounted for 6.9% and had a significantly older age. The prevalence of CKD increased in those with HCV seropositivity (16.5%). Significantly higher prevalence of CKD stages ≥3 in HCV-seropositive subjects was noticed (7.8%). Age (>45 year), male gender, alcohol drinking, hypertension, creatinine and HCV infection were the significant factors associated with the presence of CKD. HCV seropositivity was an independent risk factor of developing CKD and associated with an increased risk of having CKD of all stages. The higher prevalence of earlier stage of CKD warrants longitudinal studies with frequent testing on renal function and sufficient duration to determine the changes of eGFR over time. Implementation of effective treatment intervention is also required for these subjects to prevent the progression of CKD to late stages.

Hepatitis C virus and kidney: a strong association with different clinical aspects

The most frequent kidney disease associated with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in patients with type II mixed cryoglobulinaemia. The principal clinical manifestations of glomerular disease in HCV-infected patients are the presence of proteinuria and haematuria with or without impaired kidney function. Pharmaceutical regimens vary because the main pathogenesis of renal dysfunction often mediated by cryoglobulins has not been fully elucidated. HCV infection remains common in patients on renal replacement therapy and has an adverse impact on their survival. Safe and effective pharmaceutical regimens have not been yet established and nosocomial spread within dialysis units continues to occur. Monotherapy with interferon for HCV infection is probably more effective in dialysis than in non-uraemic patients, while experience with ribavirin is limited because of its adverse haemolytic effect. Based on shortage of cadaver kidneys and the fact that HCV renal transplant recipients have better survival than stay on maintenance haemodialysis or at list for transplantation, health organization proposed the use of cadaver kidneys from anti-HCV-positive donors, bringing up concerns and conflicting views. This present review describes the main renal manifestations of HCV infection, the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of chronic kidney disease population and comments on the limitations and shortcomings of current therapeutical regiments.