Increased cardiovascular risk and reduced quality of life are highly prevalent among individuals with hepatitis C

Differences in cardiovascular risk and health-related quality of life in COPD patients according to clinical phenotype

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has a high prevalence and a major impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). COPD exacerbations are an important cause of morbidity and mortality, affecting cardiovascular risk, and are associated with poorer health status. The aim of this study was to assess the association between cardiovascular risk (CVR) and HRQL, according to exacerbator or non-exacerbator phenotype. We undertook a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study of 107 patients with COPD. Patients with two or more moderate exacerbations or one severe exacerbation in the previous year were considered as exacerbators. The CVR was calculated with the Framingham scale and SCORE (Systematic Coronary Risk Evaluation) and the HRQL was assessed with the generic questionnaire Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), the St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and the COPD Assessment Test (CAT). Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 26.0 for Windows. The SF-36 and the SGRQ showed lower values for the exacerbator phenotype, indicating a poorer quality of life. The CAT questionnaire showed values above 10 for the exacerbator phenotype, and lower values in the non-exacerbator group. After categorizing the sample according to their median age (65 years), we found a greater deterioration in HRQL in patients under 65 years of age according to the SF-36, the SGRQ and the CAT. We also detected differences in HRQL between non-exacerbator patients with a high CVR according to the Framingham (≥ 20%) and SCORE (≥ 5%) scales compared to those without this risk. A tendency towards worse HRQL was observed in non-exacerbator patients with a high CVR, which was statistically significant for the SGRQ impact domain on the SCORE scale. The CAT also showed a worse quality of life in non-exacerbator patients with a high CVR, which was significant in the Framingham model (Framingham high risk 8.41 vs non-high risk 6.05, p < 0.01). These differences were not observed in exacerbator patients. Our findings confirm that a high CVR influences HRQL in patients with COPD, especially in non-exacerbator patients with a high CVR, measured according to the SGRQ and the CAT.

Impact of 5 years of hepatitis C testing and treatment in the North East of England prisons

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is prevalent in prisons. Therefore, effective prison HCV services are critical for HCV elimination programmes. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a regional HCV prison testing and treatment programme. Between July 2017 and June 2022, data were collected prospectively on HCV test offer and uptake rates, HCV Antibody (HCV-Ab) and HCV-RNA positivity, treatment starts and outcomes for new inmates incarcerated in three prisons. Rates of HCV-Ab and RNA positivity at reception, incidence of new HCV infections and reinfection following treatment were determined. From a total of 39,652 receptions, 33,028 (83.3%) were offered HCV testing and 20,394 (61.7%) completed testing. Including all receptions, 24.5% of tests (n = 4995) were HCV-Ab positive and 8.4% of tests (n = 1713) were HCV-RNA positive. When considering the first test for each individual (median age 34 years; 88.1% male), 14.8% (n = 1869) and 7.2% (n = 905) were HCV-Ab and HCV-RNA positive, respectively. The incidence of new HCV-Ab and RNA positivity was 5.1 and 3.3 per 100 person-years, respectively. Of 1145 HCV viraemic individuals, 18 died within 6 months and 150 were rapidly transferred out of area, leaving 977 individuals with outcomes. Of these, 835 (85.5%) received antivirals and 47 spontaneously cleared the infection, leaving 95 (9.7%) untreated. 607 (72.7%) achieved SVR. 95 patients had reinfection post-treatment (rate 10.1 cases per 100 person-years). Testing for HCV has increased in our prisons and the majority with viraemia are initiated on antiviral treatment. Reassuringly, a significant fall in frequency of HCV-RNA positivity at prison reception was observed suggesting progress towards HCV elimination.

HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL AND SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HEPATIC NECROINFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C

•HDL cholesterol levels <60 mg/dL were independently associated with necroinflammatory activity in chronic hepatitis C (CHC). •CHC patients with hypertension are at an increased risk of developing necroinflammatory activity. •In patients with CHC, liver fibrosis was independently associated with old age, steatosis, and HDL-C <60 mg/dL. •Triglycerides levels ≥150 mg/dL were associated with lobular inflammatory activity in patients with CHC. Background - Approximately 71 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. A significant number of these individuals will develop liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. Beyond the liver, there is a sizeable body of scientific evidence linking cardiovascular disease and chronic hepatitis C (CHC); however, the biological mechanisms behind the concurrence of these conditions have not been completely clarified yet. Objective - To evaluate associations between hepatic histology, clinical comorbidities and lipid profile in patients with CHC. To investigate associations between liver histology and demographic, nutritional, biochemical and virological parameters. Methods - Eight-five patients with CHC prospectively underwent hepatic biopsy. Liver fragments were obtained from each patient by percutaneous route using a Menghini needle. Fibrosis was evaluated according to the METAVIR scoring system, as follows: F0, no fibrosis; F1, fibrous portal expansion; F2, fibrous portal widening with few septa; F3, bridging fibrosis with architectural distortion; and F4, liver cirrhosis. The activity was classified based on the degree of lymphocyte infiltration and hepatocyte necrosis, from A0 to A3. The diagnosis of liver disease was based on clinical, biochemical, histological, and radiological methods. The data were analyzed by logistic regression models. Results - This cross-sectional study included 85 outpatients followed at the tertiary care ambulatory centre with a mean age of 57.2±10.7 years and 45 (52.9%) were females. There were 10 patients with cirrhosis. Patients with a METAVIR F3-F4 were significantly older (P=0.02) and had higher levels of ALT (P=0.0006), AST (P<0.0001), γ-GT (P=0.03) and bilirubin (P=0.001) and higher prothrombin time than patients with F0-F2 score. Albumin levels (P=0.01) were significantly lower in METAVIR F3-F4. Age (OR=1.09; 95%CI=1.02-1.16; P=0.02), steatosis (OR=4.03; 95%CI=1.05-15.45; P=0.04) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) <60 mg/dL (OR=7.67; 95%CI=1.71-34.49; P=0.008) were independently associated with fibrosis. Hypertension (OR=6.36; 95%CI=1.31-30.85; P=0.02) and HDL-C <60 mg/dL (OR=9.85; 95%CI=2.35-41.39; P=0.002) were independently associated with necroinflammatory activity. Hypertension (OR=6.94; 95%CI=1.92-25.05; P=0.003) and HDL-C <60 mg/dL (OR=3.94; 95%CI=1.27-12.3; P=0.02) were associated with interface inflammatory activity. Triglycerides (TG ≥150 mg/dL) remained associated with lobular inflammatory activity. Conclusion - cholesterol levels <60 mg/dL were independently associated with necroinflammatory activity in chronic hepatitis C. Patients with hypertension are at an increased risk of developing necroinflammatory activity.

Determining the frequency and characteristics of Hepatitis C reinfections in North East England

Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) is common, and injecting drug use is the major risk factor for acquisition. Understanding HCV reinfection following treatment is an important consideration for HCV elimination programmes. The aim of this work was to assess the frequency and patterns of HCV reinfection in our region to develop avoidance strategies. All individuals who completed anti-HCV treatment with a known outcome in Tyne and Wear, England between January 2016 and May 2021 were included. This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. HCV reinfection was defined as positive HCV RNA after achieving sustained virological response 12 (SVR12). 788 of 840 patients (76% male; mean age 45.7 ± 11.9 years; 47% Genotype 1; 11% Cirrhosis; 20% started in prison) achieved SVR (94%). 443 patients (56%) had HCV RNA testing post-SVR after a median 0.82 (range 0.1-5.2) years. 56 reinfections (7.1% of all SVRs and 12.6% of SVRs who had post-SVR testing) were diagnosed. The median time to reinfection was 1.37 (range 0.1-4.0) years and the rate of reinfection was 10.5 /100 person years. 45 (80%) reinfections became chronic, 17 of whom were retreated and achieved SVR. 5 individuals developed a second reinfection. Younger age was the only factor independently associated with reinfection (HR 0.91 [0.88-0.94] p < .001). In conclusion, HCV reinfection is common and may slow our HCV elimination efforts. In order to address high reinfection rates, harm minimization approaches need improved, and we have implemented an 'HCV track and trace' pilot to try to reduce onwards HCV transmission.

The impact of direct-acting antivirals on quality of life in patients with hepatitis C virus infection: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

It is well known that the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is lower than that of the general population and that therapy with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV is safe and effective. However, data on the QoL of patients are scanty. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of DAA drugs on patients' QoL.

METHODS

The literature included in this meta-analysis was due in March 2021. The random effect model of heterogeneous data and the fixed effect model of homogeneous data were used to analyze the data. QoL had to be evaluated using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire with at least one measure at baseline (T0) and one measure at 12 weeks (T12) or 24 weeks (T24) after the end of therapy. The meta-analysis included eight studies, which involved 1,619 patients.

RESULTS

At T12, the meta-analysis showed all items of the SF-36 questionnaire improved from the pretreatment to post-treatment period and reached statistical significance (p < 0.05) except for the bodily pain (mean difference: 1.16, 95%CI -0.43-2.74) and role limitations-emotional (mean difference: 4.10, 95%CI -1.32-9.52). However, after subgroup analysis (whether ribavirin was being used or not), the bodily pain domain (mean difference: 3.34, 95%CI 1.03-5.65) became statistically significant again. At T24, the results indicated that all items of the SF-36 questionnaire improved from the pretreatment to the post-treatment period and reached statistical significance (p < 0.05) except for the role limitations-emotional domain (mean difference: 4.50, 95%CI -2.66-11.66).

CONCLUSIONS

There is evidence indicating that DAA therapy is accompanied by an improvement in QoL. Patients receiving DAA medication have a clinically relevant improvement in most domains of the SF-36 questionnaire at T12 or T24, except for a few aspects including role limitations-emotional.

Hepatitis C virus: A critical approach to who really needs treatment

Introduction of effective drugs in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has prompted the World Health Organization to declare a global eradication target by 2030. Propositions have been made to screen the general population and treat all HCV carriers irrespective of the disease status. A year ago the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 virus appeared causing a worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 disease. Huge financial resources were redirected, and the pandemic became the first priority in every country. In this review, we examined the feasibility of the World Health Organization elimination program and the actual natural course of HCV infection. We also identified and analyzed certain comorbidity factors that may aggravate the progress of HCV and some marginalized subpopulations with characteristics favoring HCV dissemination. Alcohol consumption, HIV coinfection and the presence of components of metabolic syndrome including obesity, hyperuricemia and overt diabetes were comorbidities mostly responsible for increased liver-related morbidity and mortality of HCV. We also examined the significance of special subpopulations like people who inject drugs and males having sex with males. Finally, we proposed a different micro-elimination screening and treatment program that can be implemented in all countries irrespective of income. We suggest that screening and treatment of HCV carriers should be limited only in these particular groups.

Viral hepatitis in 2021: The challenges remaining and how we should tackle them

Viral hepatitis results in 1.4 million deaths annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) set an ambitious target to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030, but significant challenges remain. These include inequalities in access to healthcare, reaching at risk populations and providing access to screening and effective treatment. Stigma around viral hepatitis persists and must be addressed. The WHO goal of global elimination by 2030 is a worthy aim, but remains ambitious and the coronavirus 2019 pandemic undoubtedly has set back progress. This review article will focus on hepatitis A to E, highlighting problems that have been resolved in the field over the past decade, those that remain to be resolved and suggest directions for future problem solving and research.

Uncovering undiagnosed liver disease: prevalence and opportunity for intervention in a population attending colonoscopy

OBJECTIVE

Due to high rates of obesity and alcohol consumption, the prevalence of fatty liver disease is increasing. There is no widely adopted approach to proactively screen for liver disease in the community. We aimed to assess the burden of potentially undiagnosed liver disease in individuals attending for colonoscopy to develop a pathway to identify and manage individuals with undiagnosed liver disease.

DESIGN

The OSCAR Study was a cross-sectional study recruiting patients attending for colonoscopy. Patients' metabolic and liver risk factors were measured. The prevalence of undiagnosed significant fatty liver disease was measured using the Fatty Liver Index (FLI) and Fibrosis-4 score (FIB-4).

RESULTS

1429 patients (mean age 59±14 years; 48.8% men) were recruited. 73.3% were overweight/obese, 12.7% had diabetes and 17.9% had metabolic syndrome. 19% were consuming more than recommenced alcohol levels (<14 units/week) and 41% had an AUDIT-C score ≥5. After excluding those with known liver disease, 43.2% of the cohort had a high FLI (high likelihood of fatty liver). 5.3% of these had a high FIB-4 score (>2.67, high probability of advanced fibrosis) and 90% of these were previously undiagnosed. 818 patients had a predicted 10-year cardiovascular event risk of ≥10%, however only 377 (46.1%) were on statin therapy.

CONCLUSION

High levels of obesity, metabolic dysfunction and undiagnosed fatty liver disease were found in individuals attending for colonoscopy. Clinical encounters in the endoscopy unit may represent an opportunity to risk assess for liver and metabolic disease and provide an environment to develop targeted interventions.

Association of exercise participation levels with cardiometabolic health and quality of life in individuals with hepatitis C

Objective

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Although physical activity (PA)/exercise has been shown to reduce CVD risk and improve HRQoL in patients with liver disease, there is limited data in HCV. We aimed to explore the association between PA/exercise levels, CVD risk and HRQoL in patients with HCV and assess individuals’ attitudes to PA/exercise.

Design

Cross-sectional observational study recruiting consecutive patients with HCV from viral hepatitis clinics. Data were collected on CVD risk factors, anthropometry, HRQoL and the Exercise Benefits and Barriers Scale (EBBS).

Results

86 patients were recruited (71% men, 94% white, age 52±13 years); 49% of the cohort self-reported to be currently active. Although HRQoL was reduced across the cohort, patients that were regularly ‘active’ reported significantly higher HRQoL scores across Short-Form 36v2 domains compared with their inactive counterparts (p<0.05). Metabolic and cardiovascular characteristics were no different between groups stratified by PA/exercise status (p>0.05). EBBS scores were similar in the ‘active’ versus ‘inactive’ groups, however, patients categorised as ‘active’ scored significantly higher on the psychological outlook and social interaction subscales (p<0.05) than those that were ‘inactive’. There were significant associations between EBBS scores and HRQoL (p<0.05).

Conclusions

PA/exercise is associated with increased HRQoL in patients with HCV irrespective of clinical parameters. Addressing specific motivators/barriers to exercise for patients will be key to designing effective PA/exercise interventions in this patient population to ensure maximum uptake and adherence.