Extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C infection: a consecutive study in Brazilian patients

Prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and cryoglobulinemic vasculitis in chronically HCV-infected Brazilian patients

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Cryoglobulinemia is one of the most frequent extrahepatic manifestations of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and it may evolve to cryoglobulinemic vasculitis (CryoVas) which is a systemic vasculitis that affects small-sized vessels. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and CryoVas in HCV patients in São Paulo, Brazil.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted and included sixty-eight viremic HCV patients, without HIV or hepatitis B coinfection. A thorough clinical and laboratory evaluation was performed including the detection of serum cryoglobulins and measurement of serum complement components. The classification criteria for CryoVas were applied.

RESULTS

The study population comprised mainly women (61.8%) with long term HCV infection (median 11.0 years). Advanced hepatic fibrosis was detected in 20.6% (14/68) of cases. Cryoglobulins were detected in 48.5% (33/68) of HCV-patients with type III cryoglobulinemia being the most frequent. CryoVas was present in 10.3% (7/68) and the main manifestations were peripheral neuropathy (85.7%), palpable purpura (42.8%), arthralgias (42.8%) and renal involvement (42.8%). Life-threatening manifestations were rare. Low hemolytic C2, C4 and total hemolytic complement (CH100) levels were common findings in the cryoglobulinemia group. Low C4 levels were independently associated with the development of CryoVas.

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of cryoglobulinemia and CryoVas was found in Brazilian HCV-patients. CryoVas patients mostly presented non-life-threatening manifestations, especially peripheral neuropathy. Complement abnormalities were common in patients with cryoglobulinemia and low serum C4 levels were associated with CryoVas.

Clinical and Economic Burden of Hepatic and Extrahepatic Complications from Chronic Hepatitis C: A Retrospective Analysis of German Sickness Fund Data

Introduction

German data regarding the burden of complications from chronic hepatitis C (CHC) virus infection are limited. To address this issue, this study evaluates the clinical and economic burden of hepatic and extrahepatic complications (EHCs) associated with CHC in Germany.

Methods

This retrospective, cross-sectional study used claims data from the Betriebskrankenkasse German sickness fund (2007–2014) to assess the risks and medical costs of hepatic complications and EHCs, including conditions that are prevalent and behavioral factors associated with CHC. Prevalence, incidence, and risks were calculated for 1:1 matched patients with and without CHC (n = 3994). All-cause cost, medical costs related to hepatic and EHCs, as well as CHC-related and non-CHC-related pharmacy costs (adjusted to the 2016 Euro rate), were calculated and compared between 1:5 matched patients with (n = 8425) and without CHC (n = 42,125).

Results

Patients with CHC had a 3-fold higher risk for any EHC (OR = 3.0; P < 0.05) and higher EHC-related medical costs (adjusted difference, €1606; P < 0.01) compared with patients without CHC. Total costs (€10,108 vs. €5430), hepatic complication-related medical costs (€1425 vs. €556), EHC-related costs (€3547 vs. €1921), CHC-related pharmacy costs (€577 vs. €116), and non-CHC-related pharmacy costs (€3719 vs. €1479) were all significantly greater for patients with CHC compared with patients without CHC. EHC-related medical costs were a major contributor to the higher all-cause medical (84.4%) and total (44.3%) cost differences between patients with CHC and the matched sample of patients without CHC.

Conclusion

CHC is associated with substantial clinical and economic burden in Germany, largely due to hepatic complications and EHCs.

Funding

Abbvie Inc.

Improvement of Hepatic and Extrahepatic Complications from Chronic Hepatitis C After Antiviral Treatment: A Retrospective Analysis of German Sickness Fund Data

INTRODUCTION

German data regarding the economic burden of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and potential benefits of CHC treatment are limited. To address this issue, we evaluated the role of treatment in mitigating the economic burden of hepatic and extrahepatic complications (EHCs) from CHC virus infection in Germany.

METHODS

This retrospective, cross-sectional study used claims data from the Betriebskrankenkasse German sickness fund (2007-2014) to assess the medical costs of hepatic complications and EHCs, including conditions that are prevalent and behavioral factors associated with CHC. All-cause costs, medical costs related to hepatic and EHCs, and CHC-related and non-CHC-related pharmacy costs (adjusted to the 2016 euro rate) were calculated and compared between CHC patients' treated (n = 1714) and untreated time (n = 7124) and CHC patients that initiated treatment early (i.e., without cirrhosis; n = 1552) vs. late (i.e., with cirrhosis; n = 162).

RESULTS

CHC treatment was associated with an average adjusted savings of €1885 in annual all-cause medical costs per patient, with a significant proportion attributed to EHC-related cost savings (adjusted difference, €1363; P < 0.01). Although initiating CHC treatment early was economically beneficial compared with initiating treatment late, the total cost savings were not significantly different (annual average adjusted difference, €3831; P = 0.27). However, nearly 60% of these savings were EHC related (adjusted difference, €2255; P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

CHC is associated with a significant economic burden in Germany, largely due to EHCs. Antiviral treatment may reduce the burden of CHC and result in significant cost savings, even when initiated at earlier stages of liver disease.

FUNDING

AbbVie Inc.