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Dashjamts G, Ganzorig AE, Tsedendorj Y, Dondov G, Nergui O, Badamjav T, Huang CF, Liang PC, Lonjid T, Batsaikhan B, Dai CY. Post-Treatment Occurrence of Serum Cryoglobulinemia in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients. Diagnostics (Basel) 2024; 14:1188. [PMID: 38893714 PMCID: PMC11171999 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics14111188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persistent cryoglobulinemia after the completion of antiviral treatment is an important consideration of clinical management in chronic hepatitis C patients. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of serum cryoglobulinemia in chronic hepatitis C patients without cryoglobulinemia at the initiation of antiviral treatment. METHODS In total, 776 patients without cryoglobulinemia were assessed for serum cryoglobulinemia after the completion of anti-HCV treatment. Serum cryoglobulinemia precipitation was assessed upon both the initiation and the completion of the treatment and analyzed for the clinical laboratory factors associated with chronic hepatitis C. RESULTS One hundred eighteen (118) patients were checked for serum cryo-precipitation after the completion of the treatment, and eight patients (4.6%) were positive for serum cryoglobulinemia. The patients who tested positive for cryoglobulinemia included a higher proportion of liver cirrhosis patients (4/50%, p = 0.033) and other organ cancer patients (5/62.5%, p = 0.006) than patients who showed no signs of cryoglobulinemia after treatment. In a multivariate analysis, liver cirrhosis (odds ratio [OR]-17.86, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]-1.79-177.35, p = 0.014) and other organ cancer (OR-25.17 95% CI-2.59-244.23, p = 0.005) were independently and significantly associated with positive cryoglobulinemia 3 months after antiviral treatment. CONCLUSIONS Three months after the antiviral DAA therapy had concluded, eight patients tested positive for cryoglobulinemia, representing a 6.7% prevalence. Liver cirrhosis and other organ cancer were independently and significantly associated with positive cryoglobulinemia after antiviral treatment. Further investigation into the causes of positive cryoglobulinemia after DAA antiviral therapy is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gantogtokh Dashjamts
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
| | - Amin-Erdene Ganzorig
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
| | - Yumchinsuren Tsedendorj
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
| | - Ganchimeg Dondov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
| | - Otgongerel Nergui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
| | - Tegshjargal Badamjav
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010031, China
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (P.-C.L.)
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
| | - Po-Cheng Liang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (P.-C.L.)
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
| | - Tulgaa Lonjid
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
| | - Batbold Batsaikhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia; (G.D.); (A.-E.G.); (Y.T.); (G.D.); (O.N.); (T.B.); (T.L.)
- Department of Health Research, Graduate School, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar 14210, Mongolia
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan; (C.-F.H.); (P.-C.L.)
- Ph.D. Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807378, Taiwan
- College of Professional Studies, National Pingtung University of Science and Technology, Pingtung 91201, Taiwan
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Transient elastography score is elevated during rheumatoid factor-positive chronic hepatitis C virus infection and rheumatoid factor decline is highly variable over the course of direct-acting antiviral therapy. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0267512. [PMID: 35482664 PMCID: PMC9049346 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Elevated rheumatoid factor (RF) levels and systemic immune activation are highly prevalent during chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy has been associated with normalization of various soluble immune activation parameters. Whether the RF levels relate to soluble immune activation markers during chronic HCV infection, and over what time frame RF levels normalize during and after DAA treatment is unknown and was investigated here.
Methods
In a longitudinal study, plasma and serum was obtained from HCV infected RF positive (RF+) and RF negative (RF-) participants. The levels of RF, HCV RNA and soluble markers of inflammation were determined before (week 0), during (weeks 4, 8 and 12) and after (week 24) treatment with HCV DAA therapy. In a subset of RF+ participants, the analysis was extended to over 70 weeks after therapy initiation. Hepatic and other clinical parameters were determined at baseline (week 0) in all participants.
Results
Before therapy, transient elastography (TE) score was greater in RF+ compared to RF- HCV infected participants, while the systemic levels of soluble inflammatory markers were comparable. Following DAA therapy initiation, HCV RNA levels became undetectable within 4 weeks in both the RF+ and RF- groups. RF levels declined in the first 6 months in most RF+ persons but most commonly remained positive. The levels of some soluble inflammatory markers declined, mainly within 4 weeks of DAA therapy start, in both the RF+ and RF- groups. The baseline (week 0) TE score correlated with RF levels before, during and after DAA therapy, while plasma IL-18 levels correlated with RF level after DAA therapy.
Conclusion
During chronic HCV infection, TE score is elevated in RF+ HCV infected individuals and factors other than HCV viremia (including liver stiffness or fibrosis and select markers of inflammation) likely contribute to persistence of RF after treatment of HCV with DAA.
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Gantumur G, Batsaikhan B, Huang CI, Yeh ML, Huang CF, Lin YH, Lin TC, Liang PC, Liu TW, Lee JJ, Lin YC, Lin IL, Huang JF, Chuang WL, Yu ML, Tu HP, Dai CY. The association between hepatitis C virus infection and renal function. J Chin Med Assoc 2021; 84:757-765. [PMID: 34074934 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000000561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and chronic kidney disease (CKD) still remains controversial. We aimed to investigate whether HCV really affects renal function, and to analyze the association between clinical effects of CHC and decreased kidney function (assessed by glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level). METHODS An estimated 3360 patients with HCV infection and 3360 age- and sex-matched community-based control individuals without HCV were enrolled (1:1, case and control ratio) in this study between 2004 and 2016. We used the modification of diet in renal diseases to calculate eGFR. Demographic and laboratory parameters were assessed, and appropriate statistical methods were performed for the analysis. RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that serum alanine aminotransferase level (odds ratio [OR] 0.998; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.997-0.999; P = 0.001), platelet count (OR 0.997; 95% CI 0.995-0.999; p = 0.002), and hypertension (OR 1.31; 95% CI 1.03-1.66; P = 0.027) were significantly associated with HCV infection and serum triglyceride levels (OR 1.001; 95% CI 1.00-1.002; p = 0.005), platelet count (OR 0.996; 95% CI 0.995-0.997; p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) >25 (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.23-1.67; p < 0.001), hypertension (OR 1.69; 95% CI 1.42-1.99; p < 0.001), hyperlipidemia (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.02-1.71; p = 0.035), and diabetes (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.03-1.71; p = 0.032) were significantly associated with a low eGFR (<90 mL/min/m3) in control subjects. The BMI >25 kg/m2, hypertension, and diabetes were found to be associated with low eGFR interaction with the HCV infection, via a multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Our study found that the patients with HCV infection are associated with a low eGFR compared with non-HCV-infected patients. This association is consistent in obese, diabetic, and hypertensive patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gantsetseg Gantumur
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Medical Research and Development, PubMend Medical Research Center, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Batbold Batsaikhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
| | - Ching-I Huang
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Lun Yeh
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chung-Feng Huang
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Hung Lin
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tzu-Chun Lin
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Po-Cheng Liang
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Ta-Tung Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ta-Wei Liu
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jia-Jung Lee
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Ching Lin
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - I-Ling Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Jee-Fu Huang
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Wan-Long Chuang
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Hung-Pin Tu
- Department of Public Health and Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Chia-Yen Dai
- Hepatobiliary Section, Department of Internal Medicine & Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Chemistry, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC
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Yu ML, Tsai WL, Chu CJ, Kao JH. Characteristics of patients with hepatitis C virus infection and antiviral treatment initiation in Taiwan: The MOSAIC study. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2020; 37:245-252. [PMID: 33089964 DOI: 10.1002/kjm2.12317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of chronic liver diseases worldwide. Monitoring its epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment patterns are important for the management of patients with chronic HCV infection from both individual and public health perspectives. The MOSAIC study was an observational study conducted in 20 countries, including Taiwan; its primary objective was to describe epidemiology and treatment initiation patterns in patients seeking HCV care. Of the 111 chronic HCV patients enrolled from Taiwan, 58 (52.3%) had not previously received treatment. HCV genotype 1 was reported in 58 (52.3%) patients, of whom the majority (n = 47; 81.0%) were identified as having subtype 1b. Sixty-two (55.9%) patients had HCV RNA level > 800 000 IU/mL. Liver cirrhosis was found in 35 (29.3%) patients and was more prevalent in patients who previously received treatment (71.0%). Interferon (IFN)-based treatment was started within 12 weeks from study inclusion in 12 (10.8%) patients, of whom 11 (91.7%) who had not previously received treatment. Anti-HCV treatment was not recommended by physicians in 70 (71.4%) and was refused by 23 (23.5%) patients. The MOSAIC study provides data on the epidemiology of HCV infection and IFN-based treatment decision patterns in Taiwan. Further studies are needed to observe the impact of IFN-free treatment on the treatment selection pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Lung Yu
- Hepatobiliary Division, Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Center, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.,School of Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, College of Medicine, and Center for Cancer Research and Center for Liquid Biopsy, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Lun Tsai
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Jen Chu
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Horng Kao
- Department of Internal Medicine and Hepatitis Research Center, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
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Lee KC, Cheng YT, Lin CY, Kuo CJ, Chien RN, Yeh CT, Chang ML. Impact of mixed cryoglobulinemia on patients with spontaneous hepatitis C virus clearance: A 13-year prospective cohort study. Eur J Clin Invest 2020; 50:e13189. [PMID: 31782138 DOI: 10.1111/eci.13189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence and associations of mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) in patients with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) remain elusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 13-year prospective cohort study of patients with spontaneous HCV clearance was conducted in a tertiary care centre. Baseline characteristics, incident cardiovascular and neurologic events and cancers were analysed. RESULTS Of 104 consecutive patients (mean age: 54.08 years old; females: 71 [68%]), 37 (34.6%) had MC and 6 (5.8%) had cirrhosis. MC (+) patients were more female (86% vs 58%, P = .002), had higher rate of cirrhosis (14% vs 1.5%, P = .012), higher levels of Immunoglobulin G (IgG; P = .001), IgM (P = .002) and fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) (P = .004), but lower levels of complement C4 (P = .034) than the MC (-) patients. Female gender (95% confidence interval [CI] of odds ratio: 1.402-26.715), levels of IgG (1.000-1.004), IgM (1.009-1.037) and FIB-4 (1.217-3.966) were independently associated with MC. Baseline rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were independently associated with incident cancer (95% CI hazard ratio [HR]: 1.001-1.030 [HR: 1.015], P = .039). With a cut-off value of 11.3 IU/mL, RF levels significantly predicted incident cancer (area under curve: 0.865, P = .002). No different cumulative incidences of cardiovascular and neurologic events, cancers or mortalities were identified between MC (+) and MC (-) patient. CONCLUSIONS Approximately 1/3 of patients with spontaneous HCV clearance yielded MC, which harboured similar characteristics of MC in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Despite the negligible role of MC in the prognosis of patients with spontaneous HCV clearance, the connection between RF and incident cancer demands further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuan-Chieh Lee
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Ting Cheng
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Yu Lin
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Jung Kuo
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chau-Ting Yeh
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Ling Chang
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Liver Research Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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Rheumatoid factor and immunoglobulin M mark hepatitis C-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia: an 8-year prospective study. Clin Microbiol Infect 2019; 26:366-372. [PMID: 31229596 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.06.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The prevalence and factors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) -associated mixed cryoglobulinaemia in Asia remain elusive, and we aimed to investigate these topics. METHODS An 8-year prospective cohort study was conducted in 678 consecutive Taiwanese individuals with chronic HCV infection (438 completed an anti-HCV therapy course). RESULTS Of 678 individuals, 437 (64.5%) had mixed cryoglobulinaemia and 20 (2.9%) had mixed cryoglobulinaemic syndrome. At baseline, IgM (cut-off >122 mg/dL), triglycerides and IgG levels, and HCV genotype 3 were independently associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Rheumatoid factor (RF) levels were associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemic syndrome (cut-off >12.2 IU/mL). At 24 weeks post-therapy, the 362 individuals with a sustained virological response (SVR) had higher cured (106/362 (29.3%) versus 10/76 (13.2%), p = 0.003) and lower persistent (100/362 (27.6%) versus 33/76 (43.4%), p = 0.003) mixed cryoglobulinaemia rates than non-SVR patients. Among SVR patients, compared with baseline levels, RF, IgG and IgM levels decreased, except in individuals with new mixed cryoglobulinaemia. Pre-therapy IgM levels were associated with 24-week post-therapy new (95% CI of OR 1.002-1.023) and persistent (95% CI of OR 1.004-1.015) mixed cryoglobulinaemia in SVR patients. After up to 8 years, 24-week post-therapy IgM levels were associated with mixed cryoglobulinaemia in SVR patients (9/51; 17.64%; 95% CI of HR 1.004-1.011). Among 17 SVR patients with pre-therapy mixed cryoglobulinaemic syndrome, 5 (29.4%) had long-term mixed cryoglobulinaemia and 4 (23.5%) had mixed cryoglobulinaemic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS Over 60% of chronic HCV-infected individuals had mixed cryoglobulinaemia, and 17.64% of SVR patients had mixed cryoglobulinaemia 8 years post-therapy. Pre-therapy RF and IgM levels marked HCV-associated mixed cryoglobulinaemic syndrome and mixed cryoglobulinaemia, respectively.
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