Hepatitis C eradication with direct-acting anti-virals reduces the risk of variceal bleeding

Association of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibition With Liver-Related Events and Mortality in Compensated Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

While renin-angiotensin system inhibition lowers the hepatic venous gradient, the effect on more clinically meaningful endpoints is less studied. We aimed to quantify the relationship between renin-angiotensin system inhibition and liver-related events (LREs) among adults with compensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

In this national cohort study using the Optum database, we quantified the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) use and LREs (hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, or variceal bleeding) among patients with cirrhosis between 2009 and 2019. Selective beta-blocker (SBB) users served as the comparator group. We used demographic and clinical features to calculate inverse-probability treatment weighting-weighted cumulative incidences, absolute risk differences, and Cox proportional hazard ratios.

RESULTS

Among 4214 adults with cirrhosis, 3155 were ACE inhibitor/ARB users and 1059 were SBB users. In inverse probability treatment weighting-weighted analyses, ACE inhibitor/ARB (vs SBB) users had lower 5-year cumulative incidence (30.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 27.8% to 33.2%] vs 41.3% [95% CI, 34.0% to 47.7%]; absolute risk difference, -10.7% [95% CI, -18.1% to -3.6%]) and lower risk of LREs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.69; 95% CI, 0.60 to 0.80). There was a dose-response relationship: compared with SBB use, ACE inhibitor/ARB prescriptions ≥1 defined daily dose (aHR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.76) were associated with a greater risk reduction compared with <1 defined daily dose (aHR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.71 to 1.07). Results were robust across sensitivity analyses such as comparing ACE inhibitor/ARB users with nonusers and as-treated analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In this national cohort study, ACE inhibitor/ARB use was associated with significantly lower risk of LREs in patients with compensated cirrhosis. These results provide support for a randomized clinical trial to confirm clinical benefit.

Direct-acting antiviral agent use and gastrointestinal safety in patients with chronic hepatitis C: a pharmacovigilance study based on FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

BACKGROUND

Gastrointestinal adverse drug reactions (GADRs) of direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in patients with chronic hepatitis C are underestimated.

AIM

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the gastrointestinal safety of DAAs in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

METHOD

The US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database was searched for GADR cases reported from 01 to 2012 to 30 September 2021. Twelve DAA types used for hepatitis C virus were included. The top 30 GADRs were assessed based on the use of DAAs, number of cases, and clinical features. A case-non-case disproportionality approach was used to confirm pharmacovigilance signals, whereby reporting odds ratios (ROR) with 95% CI were calculated.

RESULTS

Nausea (70.01/1000), diarrhoea (39.10/1000), and vomiting (31.68/1000) accounted for the highest number of cases. The pooled median time-to-onset of the top 30 GADRs was 13 days (Q1-Q3: 2-38) and the proportion of drug discontinuation was 19.17%. The highest number of DAA-related cases involved ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (21.86%), sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (21.77%), and sofosbuvir (13.41%). When DAAs were considered as a class drug, after adjusting for age, sex, concomitant diseases and drugs that potentially induced GADRs, significant RORs for specific GADRs were noted, including abdominal discomfort (1.62, 95% CI 1.32-1.99), constipation (1.54, 95% CI 1.26-1.89), dyspepsia (1.25, 95% CI 1.01-1.55), abdominal distension (1.36, 95% CI 1.05-1.75), faeces discoloured (1.77, 95% CI 1.15-2.73), and gastric ulcer (2.37, 95% CI 1.28-4.41).

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should have a deeper understanding of GADRs to improve the gastrointestinal tolerance of patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Direct-Acting Antivirals Reduce the De Novo Development of Esophageal Varices in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus Related Liver Cirrhosis

The real-world benefits of direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-induced sustained virologic response (SVR) on the de novo occurrence and progression of esophageal varices (EV) remain unclear in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver cirrhosis (LC). This is a retrospective cohort study evaluating all patients with Child-Pugh class A HCV-related LC during 2013 to 2020 in the Chang Gung Medical System. A total of 215 patients fit the inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Of them, 132 (61.4%) patients achieved DAA induced-SVR and 83 (38.6%) did not receive anti-viral treatment. During a median follow-up of 18.4 (interquartile range, 10.1−30.9) months, the 2-year incidence of de novo EV occurrence was 8 (7.0%) in the SVR group and 7 (12.7%) in the treatment-naïve group. Compared to the treatment-naïve group, the SVR group was associated with a significantly lower incidence of EV occurrence (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.47, p = 0.030) and a significantly lower incidence of EV progression (aHR: 0.55, p = 0.033). The risk of EV progression was strongly correlated with the presence of baseline EV (p < 0.001). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that DAA-induced SVR is associated with decreased risk of de novo EV occurrence and progression in the real world.

Comparing Predictability of Non-invasive Tools for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Treated Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive tools including liver stiffness measurement (LSM) or FIB-4, assessed before or after direct acting antivirals (DAA), have been suggested to predict hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

AIMS

This study aims to compare predictability of HCC by these methods at different time points, to validate the HCC surveillance suggestion by guidelines, and to propose personalized strategy.

METHODS

Chronic hepatitis C whose LSM and FIB-4 were available at pretherapy and after sustained virological response (SVR) were enrolled. Advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) was defined as pretherapy LSM ≥ 10 kPa or FIB-4 index ≥ 3.25 or ultrasound signs of cirrhosis plus platelet count < 150,000/μL. The predictabilities were compared by area under ROC. The cumulative HCC incidences were calculated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Among 466 ACLD patients, 40 patients developed HCC during a follow-up duration of 26.8 months. Comparable predictive performances for HCC between LSM and FIB-4 at pretherapy and SVR were noted. By guidelines suggestion using pretherapy LSM = 10 kPa (advanced fibrosis) and 13 kPa (cirrhosis) for risk stratification, the annual HCC incidences of those with LSM of < 10, 10-12.9 and ≥ 13 kPa were 1.1, 3.6, and 5.0%, respectively. Combination of baseline LSM < 12 kPa and SVR FIB-4 < 3.7 could further stratify relatively low risk of HCC in ACLD patients of annal incidence of 1.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

ACLD patients who met advanced fibrosis but not cirrhosis by guidelines' cut-offs still posed high risk of HCC. Baseline LSM with SVR FIB-4 can be applied to stratify low, intermediate, and high risk of HCC for personalizing surveillance strategies after SVR.

Liver-related complications before and after successful treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in people with inherited bleeding disorders

INTRODUCTION

With availability of direct-acting antivirals (DAA), most persons with inherited bleeding disorders are currently cured of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The risk of liver-related complications following HCV cure has not been reported for this population.

AIM

Reporting liver-related complications during long-term chronic HCV infection and following sustained virological response (SVR) in this population.

METHODS

Retrospective follow-up of a prospective single-centre cohort of HCV antibody-positive persons with inherited bleeding disorders. Primary endpoint was liver-related complications [hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), decompensated cirrhosis, bleeding gastroesophageal varices]. Liver-related complications were reported separately during chronic HCV and following SVR, stratified for interferon-based and DAA-based SVR.

RESULTS

In total 309/381 (81%) HCV antibody-positive individuals developed chronic HCV infection. Median follow-up was 44 years [interquartile range (IQR): 34-50]. Liver-related complications occurred in 36/309 (12%) of individuals with chronic HCV infection after median 31 years of chronic infection. Of 199 individuals with SVR, 97 were cured with interferon-based regimens and 102 with DAA after median infection durations of 29 and 45 years, respectively. At end of follow-up, respectively, 21% and 42% had advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Post-SVR, seven (4%) individuals had a liver-related complication, mainly HCC (n = 4). Incidence of liver-related complications per 100 patient-years post-SVR follow-up was .2 for interferon-cured and 1.0 for DAA-cured individuals (p = .01).

CONCLUSION

Successful HCV treatment does not eliminate the risk of liver-related complications in persons with inherited bleeding disorders. Due to higher baseline risk, incidence was higher after DAA than interferon-based SVR. We advise continuing HCC surveillance post-SVR in all with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis.

Combining FIB-4 and Liver Stiffness Into the FIB-5, a Single Model that Accurately Predicts Complications of Portal Hypertension

INTRODUCTION

We aimed to combine the fibrosis (FIB)-4 score and fibroscan-derived liver stiffness (LS) into a single score (FIB-5) that predicts incident complications of portal hypertension (PH) in persons with compensated liver disease.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, we identified 5849 US veterans who underwent LS measurement from May 01, 2014 to June 30, 2019, and laboratory tests enabling FIB-4 calculation within 6 months of LS measurement. Patients were followed up from the LS measurement date until February 05, 2020, for incident complications of PH. We combined LS values and the individual components of the FIB-4 score (i.e. age, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and platelet count) using multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling and the machine learning algorithm eXtreme gradient boosting to develop the C-FIB-5 and X-FIB-5 models, respectively. Models were internally validated using optimism-corrected measures.

RESULTS

Among 5,849 patients, the mean age was 62.8 years, 95.9% were men, and the mean follow-up time was 2.14 ± 1.21 years. Within 3 years after LS measurement date, 116 (2.0%) patients developed complications of PH. The X-FIB-5 (area under the receiver operating characteristic [AUROC] 0.845) and C-FIB-5 scores (AUROC 0.868) demonstrated superior discrimination over LS (AUROC 0.688) and FIB-4 (AUROC 0.672) for predicting incident complications of PH. Both the X-FIB-5 and C-FIB-5 models demonstrated higher classification accuracy across all sensitivity cutoffs when compared with LS or FIB-4 alone.

DISCUSSION

We combined LS and the individual components of the FIB-4 into a single scoring system (FIB-5, www.fib5.net ), which can help identify patients with compensated liver disease at risk of developing complications of PH.

Clinical characteristics and predictors of esophagogastric variceal bleeding among patients with HCV-induced liver cirrhosis: An observational comparative study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and predictors of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

This comparative observational study was carried out on 100 patients suffering from post hepatitis cirrhosis and portal hypertension who were admitted to the Internal Medicine Department, Al-Azhar University Hospital, Damietta Egypt. Patients were classified into two groups: 50 of them presented with esophagogastric varices with acute variceal bleeding, and 50 patients presented without bleeding. Data were collected, coded, revised, and entered into the Stata software version 16.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients with bleeding was slightly higher than those without bleeding (55.58 ± 5.89 vs. 52.54 ± 9.01 years), p = 0.049. Mild ascites, positive H.Pylori, and Child-Pugh score B and C were an independent predictors of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (OR = 0.036, 95% CI: 0.0004-0.36; p = 0.005), (OR = 7.36, 95% CI: 1.44-37.59; p = 0.016), (OR = 19.0, 95% CI: 2.02-186.3; p = 0.010), and (OR = 40.51, 95% CI: 2.18-751.31; p = 0.013). The sensitivity of this model was 93.88%, specificity was 53.85%, PPV was 88.46%, NPV was 70.0%, correctly classified patients were 85.48%, and AUC was 90.27%. In the second model, pepsinogen level higher than 43.5 μg/l, AST (>54.5), Bilirubin (>1.45), and Hemoglobin (>11.5) were a significant independent predictors of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (OR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.09-1.27; p<0.001), (OR = 1.14, 95% CI: 1.03-1.27; p = 0.007), (OR = 5.55, 95% CI: 1.21-25.43; p = 0.027), and (OR = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.008-0.32; p = 0.002), respectively. The sensitivity of this model was 92%, specificity was 98%, PPV was 97.87%, NPV was 92.45%, correctly classified patients were 95%, and AUC was 98.68%.

CONCLUSION

The independent predictors of esophagogastric variceal bleeding were ascites, positive H. pylori, Child-Pugh score B and C, pepsinogen level higher than 43.5 μg/l, AST (>54.5), bilirubin (>1.45), and hemoglobin (>11.5). Laboratory investigations are more reliable in predicting variceal bleeding and excluding non-variceal bleeding; however, clinical symptoms should not be neglected, especially H. pylori infection, ascites, and Child-Pugh score.

Effect of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents on Gastroesophageal Varices in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus-Related Cirrhosis

Aim: In patients with hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis (LC) who achieve sustained virological responses (SVRs) through treatment with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), it remains unclear whether there are improvements in gastroesophageal varices (GEVs) and portal hypertension. We investigated changes in liver function and GEVs that occurred after DAA therapy. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the medical records of 195 patients with hepatitis C virus-related LC who received DAAs. A total of 171 patients achieved SVRs, among whom 36 had GEVs before or after receiving DAA therapy. The liver function, fibrosis, and GEVs were re-evaluated every 6 months after receiving DAA therapy. The risk factors for progressive GEVs were investigated. Results: DAA therapy resulted in improvements in liver function (indicated by aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and serum albumin levels) and fibrosis (indicated by type IV collagen levels and the Fibrosis-4 index). After receiving DAA therapy, 27 patients had stable GEVs and 9 had progressive GEVs. With respect to GEV grades before DAA therapy, there was a significant difference between patients with stable and progressive GEVs (p = 0.027). Presence of grade-2 GEVs before starting DAA therapy was a risk factor for GEV progression (odds ratio: 5.83; p = 0.04). Patients with grade-2 GEVs had significantly shorter progression-free periods than those with grade < 2 GEVs (p = 0.025). Conclusions: DAA therapy does not ameliorate GEVs. Furthermore, grade-2 GEVs can worsen after DAA therapy. Therefore, patients with GEVs of grades ≥ 2 should undergo endoscopic surveillance after receiving DAAs.

Fibrosis regression following hepatitis C antiviral therapy

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common causes of liver pathology. It is a major etiological factor of continuous liver injury by triggering an uncontrolled inflammatory response, causing liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Liver fibrosis is a dynamic process that can be reversible upon timely cessation of the injurious agent, which in cases of HCV is represented by the sustained virological response (SVR) following antiviral therapies. Direct-acting antiviral therapy has recently revolutionized HCV therapy and minimized complications. Liver fibrosis can be assessed with variable invasive and non-invasive methods, with certain limitations. Despite the broad validation of the diagnostic and prognostic value of non-invasive modalities of assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with HCV, the proper interpretation of liver stiffness measurement in patients after SVR remains unclear. It is also still a debate whether this regression is caused by the resolution of liver injury following treatment of HCV, rather than true fibrosis regression. Regression of liver fibrosis can possess a positive impact on patient's quality of life reducing the incidence of complications. However, fibrosis regression does not abolish the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma, which mandates regular screening of patients with advanced fibrosis.

Screening and surveillance of oesophageal varices in patients with HCV-positive liver cirrhosis successfully treated by direct-acting antiviral agents

BACKGROUND & AIMS

limited evidence is available to guide hepatologists regarding endoscopic surveillance of oesophageal varices (EV) in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-positive cirrhotic patients achieving a sustained virologic response. To address these issues, we conducted a long-term prospective study on 427 HCV-positive cirrhotic patients successfully treated by Direct Antiviral Agents (DAAs).

METHODS

Patients were divided into two groups according to their baseline Baveno VI status: Group 1 (92, 21.5%, favourable Baveno VI status) and Group 2 (335, 78.5%, unfavourable Baveno VI status). Each patient underwent baseline endoscopy and was endoscopically monitored for a median follow-up of 65.2 months according to Baveno VI recommendations.

RESULTS

About 4.3% of Group 1 patients showed baseline EV compared with 30.1% of Group 2 patients (p < .0001). No patients belonging to Group 1 without baseline EV developed EV at follow-up endoscopy compared with 6.5% in Group 2 patients (p = .02); 69/107 (64.5%) patients with baseline EV showed small varices. During the endoscopic follow-up, EV disappeared/improved in 36 (33.6%), were stable in 39 (36.4%) and worsened in 32 (29.9%) patients, all belonging to Group 2 (p = .001). Improvement in Baveno VI status was observed in 118/335 (35.2%, p < .0001) of Group 2 patients and among those without pre-therapy EV, none developed EV throughout the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

HCV-positive cirrhotic patients cured by DAAs showing baseline favourable Baveno VI status and no worsening during follow-up can safely avoid endoscopic screening and surveillance. Patients having unfavourable Baveno VI status without baseline EV who improve their status may suspend further endoscopic surveillance.

Therapy of Chronic Viral Hepatitis: The Light at the End of the Tunnel?

Chronic viral hepatitis determines significant morbidity and mortality globally and is caused by three main etiological actors (Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Hepatitis D Virus) with different replicative cycles and biological behaviors. Thus, therapies change according to the different characteristics of the viruses. In chronic hepatitis B, long term suppressive treatments with nucleoside/nucleotide analogues have had a dramatic impact on the evolution of liver disease and liver-related complications. However, a conclusive clearance of the virus is difficult to obtain; new strategies that are able to eradicate the infection are currently objects of research. The therapy for Hepatitis D Virus infection is challenging due to the unique virology of the virus, which uses the synthetic machinery of the infected hepatocyte for its own replication and cannot be targeted by conventional antivirals that are active against virus-coded proteins. Recently introduced antivirals, such as bulevertide and lonafarnib, display definite but only partial efficacy in reducing serum HDV-RNA. However, in combination with pegylated interferon, they provide a synergistic therapeutic effect and appear to represent the current best therapy for HDV-positive patients. With the advent of Direct Acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs), a dramatic breakthrough has occurred in the therapeutic scenario of chronic hepatitis C. Cure of HCV infection is achieved in more than 95% of treated patients, irrespective of their baseline liver fibrosis status. Potentially, the goal of global HCV elimination by 2030 as endorsed by the World Health Organization can be obtained if more global subsidised supplies of DAAs are provided.

Factors affecting long-term changes of liver stiffness in direct-acting anti-hepatitis C virus therapy: A multicentre prospective study

The long-term changes of liver stiffness (LS) in patients who achieve viral clearance after direct-acting anti-HCV therapy remain undefined. We conducted a multicentre prospective study to investigate this aspect. Patients with HCV infection treated with DAAs were enrolled from six Italian centres; they underwent clinical, biochemical, ultrasound and transient elastography evaluations before treatment (T0), 12 weeks (SVR12) and 24 months (T24) after the end of therapy. Among the 516 consecutive patients enrolled, 301 had cirrhosis. LS significantly decreased from T0 to SVR (14.3 vs 11.1 kPa, p = .002), with a progressive reduction until T24 (8.7 kPa, p < .001). However, only patients with steatosis and those who developed HCC did not experience a late improvement in LS. Multivariate analysis of baseline and follow-up variables identified steatosis as the only independent predictor of failure of LS improvement (OR 1.802, p = .013). ROC curve analysis of the association of LS with the risk of developing HCC showed that SVR12 ≥14.0 kPa had the highest accuracy (sensitivity 82%, specificity 99%; AUC: 0.774). Multivariate analysis revealed that LS was the only variable independently associated with an increased risk of developing HCC (OR 6.470, p = .035). Achieving an SVR was associated with a progressive, long-term decline of LS, suggesting a late improvement in liver fibrosis, besides the resolution of inflammation. Fatty liver and the development of HCC interfered with late reduction of LS. Patients with an LS ≥14 kPa at 12 weeks after the end of treatment were at higher risk for developing HCC.

Should we continue surveillance for hepatocellular carcinoma and gastroesophageal varices in patients with cirrhosis and cured HCV infection?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and variceal bleeding are among the most common causes of liver-related mortality in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-induced cirrhosis. Current guidelines recommend HCC and gastroesophageal varices (GEV) surveillance in patients with HCV infection and cirrhosis. However, since the recent introduction of direct-acting antivirals, most patients with cirrhosis are now cured of their chronic HCV infection. As virological cure is considered to substantially reduce the risk of cirrhosis-related complications, this review discusses the current literature concerning the surveillance of HCC and GEV in patients with HCV-induced cirrhosis with a focus on the setting following sustained virological response.

[The role of antiviral therapy in the management of patients with liver cirrhosis associated with chronic HBV and HCV infection]

The formation of the liver cirrhosis (LC) is an unfavorable event of the natural history of chronic liver diseases being accompanied by complications that often cause a fatal outcome. The study of the effectiveness of drugs that affect various etiopathogenetic mechanisms of this condition is an urgent problem of modern hepatology.The aim of the review was to show the role of antiviral therapy (AVT) in the management of patients with LC associated with chronic HBV (hepatitis B virus) and HCV (hepatitis C virus) infection.PubMed database, Google Scholar search engine, Cochrane Systematic Reviews, eLIBRARY.RU electronic scientific library, as well as the reference lists of articles were used to search for scientific articles. The relevant objectives of the review of the publications were identified for the period since 2000 up to 2021 by the search queries as following: «liver cirrhosis», «liver fibrosis», «chronic HBV infection», «chronic HCV infection», «portal hypertension», «treatment». The inclusion criteria were restricted to the management of patients with LC associated with chronic HBV and HCV infection.Current guidelines recommend indefinite treatment of patients with HBV-associated LC with nucleos(t)ide analogues regardless of serum HBV DNA levels, while the modern concept of using direct-acting antiviral drug combinations has become the standard treatment for HCV-associated cirrhosis. Studies have shown the ability of AVT to inhibit and reverse fibrotic processes in LC associated with chronic HBV and HCV infection. It has also been reported that HBV/HCV eradication prior to orthotopic liver transplantation improves long-term overall survival.This, in turn, can reduce the severity of portal hypertension and decrease the risk of associated complications, as well as normalize liver function. Thus, ensuring the availability of drugs for those in need of AVT will not only help prevent the development of LC, but also improve the quality of life and increase its expectancy of patients suffering from this disease.

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Risk Factors Affect Liver-Related Outcomes After Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment for Hepatitis C

INTRODUCTION

In hepatitis C (HCV) patients, obesity and/or diabetes may increase the risk of liver-related outcomes. We aimed to determine whether diabetes and/or obesity are associated with adverse outcomes in direct-acting antiviral (DAA)-treated HCV patients.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 33,003 HCV-infected, DAA-treated Veterans between 2013 and 2015. Body mass index was used to categorize patients into underweight (< 18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5 to < 25 kg/m²), overweight (25 to < 30 kg/m²), obesity I (30 to < 35 kg/m²), and obesity II-III (> 35 kg/m²). Diabetes was defined by ICD-9/10 codes in association with hemoglobin A1c > 6.5% or medication prescriptions. Patients were followed from 180 days post-DAA initiation until 2/14/2019 to assess for development of cirrhosis, decompensations, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to determine the association between diabetes and/or obesity and outcomes.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 3 years, 10.1% patients died, 5.0% were newly diagnosed with cirrhosis, 4.7% had a decompensation and 4.0% developed HCC. Diabetes was associated with an increased risk of mortality (AHR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.10-1.42), cirrhosis (AHR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.16-1.48), decompensation (AHR = 1.74, 95% CI 1.31-2.31), and HCC (AHR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.72) among patients without baseline cirrhosis. Compared to normal-weight persons, obese persons had a higher risk of cirrhosis, but overweight and obese persons had lower risk of mortality and HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large DAA-treated Veterans cohort, pre-DAA diabetes increases mortality and liver-related events independent of SVR. Continued vigilance is warranted in patients with diabetes despite SVR. Elevated BMI categories appear to have improved outcomes, although further studies are needed to understand those associations.

Efficacy and Safety of Ligation Combined With Sclerotherapy for Patients With Acute Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic variceal ligation + endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EVL+EIS) to control acute variceal bleeding (AVB). Methods: Online databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Biology Medicine (CBM) disc, VIP, and Wanfang, were searched to identify the studies comparing the differences between EVB+EIS and EVB, EIS from the inception of the databases up to December 30, 2020. STATA 13.0 was used for the meta-analysis. Results: A total of eight studies involving 595 patients (317 patients in the EVL group and 278 patients in the EVL+EIS group) were included. The results of the meta-analysis did not reveal any statistically significant differences in the efficacy of acute bleeding control (P = 0.981), overall rebleeding (P = 0.415), variceal eradication (P = 0.960), and overall mortality (P = 0.314), but a significant difference was noted in the overall complications (P = 0.01). Conclusion: EVL is superior to the combination of EVL and EIS in safety, while no statistically significant differences were detected in efficacy. Further studies should be designed with a large sample size, multiple centers, and randomized controlled trials to assess both clinical interventions.

Changes in clinical scenarios, management, and perspectives of patients with chronic hepatitis C after viral clearance by direct-acting antivirals

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes a systemic infection inducing hepatic and extrahepatic diseases. These latter involve cardiovascular system, kidney, brain, endocrine, glucose, and lipid metabolism, and the immune system. HCV infection is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality for both hepatic and extrahepatic events. Direct-acting antivirals (DAA), introduced in the most recent years for HCV treatment, are effective in up to 99% of cases and have changed the clinical scenarios and management of these patients.

AREAS COVERED

The literature on the impact of HCV clearance by DAA on both hepatic and extrahepatic disease outcomes has been analyzed and discussed in this review in order to summarize the full therapeutic potential and its weaknesses.

EXPERT OPINION

Patients achieving HCV clearance have improved hepatic and extrahepatic diseases, quality of life and survival. They have lower incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, kidney damage, and immuno-mediated manifestations. However, the improvements are related to the degree of pre-treatment organ damage. Therefore, a significant percentage of patients with advanced disease remains at risk of morbidity and mortality and must be monitored in the post-treatment. In addition, data emphasize the importance of starting treatment during the early stages of HCV infection.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Truth or dare?

The discovery of direct acting antivirals (DAA) with high rates of sustained virusological response is the biggest epoch-making event in the history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. DAAs improve liver function, prevent hepatic decompensation, and might even reverse liver fibrosis. Although initial research pointed towards a potential drawback, it is now known beyond doubt that DAA treatment reduces hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence or recurrence after curative treatments. Unfortunately, the story has reached another plot twist, as several other issues have emerged: (i) Should we treat patients with early HCC and HCV before or after surgery/ablation? (ii) Should patients with HCC on the waiting list receive DAA before or after liver transplantation? (iii) Should we use interferon-free in patients with intermediate stage HCC or in patients under systemic treatments? In this review, we aim to offer some evidence-based answers to these changing clinical dilemmas where possible, or at least some educated guesses in cases were no or little data exists.

Noninvasive Risk Stratification After HCV Eradication in Patients With Advanced Chronic Liver Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Risk stratification after cure from hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a clinical challenge. We investigated the predictive value of noninvasive surrogates of portal hypertension (liver stiffness measurement [LSM] by vibration-controlled transient elastography and von Willebrand factor/platelet count ratio [VITRO]) for development of hepatic decompensation and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with pretreatment advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) who achieved HCV cure.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

A total of 276 patients with pretreatment ACLD and information on pretreatment and posttreatment follow-up (FU)-LSM and FU-VITRO were followed for a median of 36.6 months after the end of interferon-free therapy. FU-LSM (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUROC]: 0.875 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.796-0.954]) and FU-VITRO (AUROC: 0.925 [95% CI: 0.874-0.977]) showed an excellent predictive performance for hepatic decompensation. Both parameters provided incremental information and were significantly associated with hepatic decompensation in adjusted models. A previously proposed combined approach (FU-LSM < 12.4 kPa and/or FU-VITRO < 0.95) to rule out clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH, hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥10 mm Hg) at FU assigned most (57.3%) of the patients to the low-risk group; none of these patients developed hepatic decompensation. In contrast, in patients in whom FU-CSPH was ruled in (FU-LSM > 25.3 kPa and/or FU-VITRO > 3.3; 25.0% of patients), the risk of hepatic decompensation at 3 years following treatment was high (17.4%). Patients within the diagnostic gray-zone for FU-CSPH (17.8% of patients) had a very low risk of hepatic decompensation during FU (2.6%). The prognostic value of this algorithm was validated in an internal (n = 86) and external (n = 162) cohort.

CONCLUSION

FU-LSM/FU-VITRO are strongly and independently predictive of posttreatment hepatic decompensation in HCV-induced ACLD. An algorithm combining these noninvasive markers not only rules in or rules out FU-CSPH, but also identifies populations at negligible versus high risk for hepatic decompensation. FU-LSM/FU-VITRO are readily accessible and enable risk stratification after sustained virological response, and thus facilitate personalized management.

Fibrosis Regression After Eradication of Hepatitis C Virus: From Bench to Bedside

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and its complications have been the major cause of cirrhosis and its complications for several decades in the Western world. Until recently, treatment for HCV with interferon-based regimens was associated with moderate success but was difficult to tolerate. More recently, however, an arsenal of novel and highly effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has transformed the landscape by curing HCV in a broad range of patients, including those with established advanced fibrosis, cirrhosis, comorbidities, and even those with complications of cirrhosis. Fibrosis is a dynamic process comprising both extracellular matrix deposition, as well as its degradation. With almost universal sustained virologic response (SVR) (ie, elimination of HCV), it is timely to explore whether HCV eradication can reverse fibrosis and cirrhosis. Indeed, fibrosis in several types of liver disease is reversible, including HCV. However, we do not know with certainty in whom fibrosis regression can be expected after HCV elimination, how quickly it occurs, and whether antifibrotic therapies will be indicated in those with persistent cirrhosis. This review summarizes the evidence for reversibility of fibrosis and cirrhosis after HCV eradication, its impact on clinical outcomes, and therapeutic prospects for directly promoting fibrosis regression in patients whose fibrosis persists after SVR.