Clinical, demographic and epidemiological characteristics of patients with hepatitis B followed at a university hospital in southeastern Brazil: predominance of HBeAg negative cases

INTRODUCTION

Hepatitis B is common in Brazil, although there are regional differences regarding the degree of endemicity, the most frequent forms of transmission and the presence of different evolutive stages of chronic disease. The present study aimed to determine the clinical, demographic and epidemiological characteristics of patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) residing in the Ribeirão Preto region, southeastern Brazil.

METHODS

A total of 529 medical records of individuals with HBV monoinfection were reviewed.

RESULTS

More than 60% of the subjects were males, with a mean age of 38 years-old. The HBeAg-negative serological pattern was verified in 84.4% of the patients, among whom the risk of vertical/intrafamily transmission was 43.2% (p = 0.02). The consumption of alcohol in amounts exceeding 20 g a day was observed in 21.3% of the subjects and was more frequent among men (33%) (p < 0.001). Among patients with cirrhosis, 54.1% were alcohol abusers (p = 0.04), all of them males. The presence of cirrhosis was more frequent in the HBeAg-positive group (24.4%) than in the HBeAg-negative group (10.2%) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

High proportions of HBV-infected subjects with an HBeAg-negative pattern were observed, with a higher risk of vertical/intrafamily transmission. Alcohol abuse was associated with male subjects and with cirrhosis of the liver in this group. A tendency toward an increase in the number of HBeAg-negative cases was observed over time.

Basal core promoter and precore mutations among hepatitis B virus circulating in Brazil and its association with severe forms of hepatic diseases

BACKGROUND

In Brazil, few studies have investigated the prevalence of infection with the precore (PC) and basal core promoter (BCP) mutants of the hepatitis B virus (HBV).

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to analyse the frequency of PC and BCP mutations among patients infected with HBV and to evaluate the association between the variants and advanced hepatic disease.

METHODS

A total of 161 patients infected with HBV were studied. To identify PC and BCP mutations, a 501-bp fragment of HBV DNA was amplified and sequenced.

FINDINGS

PC and BCP regions from HBV strains were successfully amplified and sequenced in 129 and 118 cases, respectively. PC and BCP mutations were detected in 61.0% and 80.6% of the cases, respectively. The A1762T/G1764A variant was identified in 36.7% of the patients with grade 1 and 2 liver fibrosis (29/79) and in 81.8% of the patients with grade 3 and 4 liver fibrosis (9/11) (p < 0.01); in 76.9% of the patients with cirrhosis (10/13) and in 38.1% of the patients without cirrhosis (40/105) (p = 0.01); and in 77.8% of the patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (7/9) and in 39.4% of the patients without HCC (43/109) (p = 0.03).

MAIN CONCLUSIONS

A high prevalence of HBV PC and BCP mutants was found. The A1762T/G1764A variant was independently associated with advanced forms of liver fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis, and HCC.

Effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors in real-world patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection in Brazil: a multicenter study

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of first-generation protease inhibitors for the treatment of genotype 1 hepatitis C virus-infected patients at Brazilian reference centers.

METHODS:

This multicenter cross-sectional study included hepatitis C virus genotype 1 monoinfected patients treated with Peg-interferon, ribavirin, and either boceprevir (n=158) or telaprevir (n=557) between July 2013 and April 2014 at 15 reference centers in Brazil. Demographic, clinical, virological, and adverse events data were collected during treatment and follow-up.

RESULTS:

Of the 715 patients, 59% had cirrhosis and 67.1% were treatment-experienced. Based on intention-to-treat analysis, the overall sustained viral response was 56.6%, with similar effectiveness in both groups (51.9% for boceprevir and 58% for telaprevir, p=0.190). Serious adverse events occurred in 44.2% of patients, and six deaths (0.8%) were recorded. Cirrhotic patients had lower sustained viral response rates than non-cirrhotic patients (46.9% vs. 70.6%, p<0.001) and a higher incidence of serious adverse events (50.7% vs. 34.8%, p<0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that sustained viral response was associated with the absence of cirrhosis, viral recurrence after previous treatment, pretreatment platelet count greater than 100,000/mm3, and achievement of a rapid viral response. Female gender, age>65 years, diagnosis of cirrhosis, and abnormal hemoglobin levels/platelet counts prior to treatment were associated with serious adverse events.

CONCLUSION:

Although serious adverse events rates were higher in this infected population, sustained viral response rates were similar to those reported for other patient cohorts.

First-wave protease inhibitors for hepatitis C genotype 1 treatment: a real-life experience in Brazilian patients

INTRODUCTION

Licensed for chronic hepatitis C treatment in 2011, the protease inhibitors (PIs) telaprevir (TVR) and boceprevir (BOC), which have high sustained viral responses (SVR), ushered a new era characterized by the development of direct-action drugs against the hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness and safety of BOC and TVR administered with pegylated interferon and ribavirin and to share the experience of a Brazilian reference center.

METHODS

A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in patients with HCV genotype 1 infection who started treatment between July 2013 and December 2015. Data were collected using a computerized system.

RESULTS

A total of 115 subjects were included, of which 58 (50.4 %) had liver cirrhosis and 103 (89.6 %) used TVR. The overall SVR rate was 61.7 % (62.1 % for TVR and 58.3 % for BOC). The presence of cirrhosis was associated with a lower SVR rate, whereas patients who relapsed after prior therapy had a greater chance of showing SVR than did non-responders. The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was high. Almost all patients (~100 %) presented with hematologic events. Furthermore, treatment had to be discontinued in 15 subjects (13 %) due to severe ADRs.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, the SVR rates in our study were lower than those reported in pre-marketing studies but were comparable to real-life data. ADRs, particularly hematological ADRs, were more common compared to those in previous studies and resulted in a high rate of treatment discontinuity.

Resistance training combined with blood flow restriction in cirrhosis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients affected by hepatic cirrhosis show reductions in muscle mass and function, with poor quality of life and functional performance. As such, resistance training with blood flow restriction (BFR-RT) could be a useful therapeutic tool for health promotion. Thus, we aim to verify the effects of this intervention on muscle strength, muscle mass, fiber Pennation angle, fascicle length, functional performance, quality of life, and fall risk scores in this population.

METHODS

Thirty participants will be randomly distributed between 1) BFR-RT and 2) control (CTRL). Assessments will occur at three time points: before the training intervention (0 W), after 12 weeks (12 W), and at follow-up (24 W). The following variables will be assessed: Child-Pugh classification; MELD score; SF-36 questionnaire; fatigue severity index; 6-min walk test; timed-up and go; 30-s sitting and rising test; dietary record; one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength test (knee extension exercise); and vastus lateralis' cross-sectional area, Pennation angle, and fascicle length. The BFR-RT group will undergo 12 weeks of knee extension exercise (1 × 30 repetitions and 3 × 15 repetitions at 20% 1-RM and 50% of total blood flow occlusion pressure), with two sessions per week. Data normality will be assessed using the Shapiro-Wilk test. In case of normal distribution, a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance will be implemented to test for differences in baseline values. A mixed model then will be applied for each dependent variable. In case of non-normal data distribution, a Kruskal-Wallis test will be implemented to test for differences in baseline values. Next, the Friedman test will be used to analyze repeated measures. Within- and between-group effect sizes will be calculated using Cohen's d for each outcome. Finally, the minimal clinically important difference will be analyzed with distribution-based methods.

DISCUSSION

To our knowledge, this will be the first trial to investigate BFR-RT in patients with cirrhosis and evaluate the effects on neuromuscular parameters, functional performance, disease severity, and quality of life outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (ReBec): RBR-395mfw. Registered on 25 August 2018.

Schistosomiasis mansoni and hydrographical conditions in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil

BACKGROUND

In Brazil, schistosomiasis mansoni cases still occur, even in non-endemic areas. This study aimed to evaluate schistosomiasis mansoni cases and to delimit water collections investigated for infested planorbidae in São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study and spatial analysis of schistosomiasis mansoni cases notified in the city from January 2005 to December 2017 was conducted. The study used geographical information system software to map residential and leisure exposures to water courses and bodies and related them to planorbidae surveys of São Paulo state.

RESULTS

During the study period, 32 cases were notified. The main forms were intestinal and hepatosplenic. Twenty-eight cases were allochthonous, two autochthonous and two indeterminate. Eleven patients (33.3%) had contact with water collections in São Carlos, mainly the 29 and Broa reservoirs. Three of them had contact only with water collections in the region. A third of cases lived in the Água Fria and Água Quente microbasins, highly impacted by the presence of domestic sewage, and the whole region seems to be colonized by Biomphalaria tenagophila.

CONCLUSIONS

The resolution of anthropogenic contamination of water bodies is crucial for controlling schistosomiasis mansoni autochthony in São Carlos.

Cost-effectiveness analysis is a mandatory strategy for health systems: evidence from a study involving therapies for hepatitis C

Cost-effectiveness analysis is essential in health decision making. Several countries use it as synthesis of evidence to incorporate health technologies. The protease inhibitors (PI) boceprevir (BOC) and telaprevir (TVR) are indicated for chronic hepatitis C treatment and were incorporated in guidelines worldwide. Pre-marketing clinical trials showed higher sustained virological response rates in relation to previous therapies, but the incorporation of PIs generated a significant financial impact. The aim of this study was to discuss the relevance of cost-effectiveness analysis through a study that involved the inclusion of PIs in a clinical protocol. The analysis was part of a real-life study that included patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 treated in a tertiary university hospital in Brazil. Triple therapies (TT) with ribavirin (RBV), peginterferon α-2a (Peg-INF α-2a) and BOC or TVR were compared to dual therapy with RBV and Peg-INF α-2a. Sensitivity analysis of the cost-effectiveness ratio indicated an 88.2% chance of TTs presenting a higher cost per cure. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) exceeded the Brazilian gross domestic product (GDP) per capita by three times in all proposed scenarios. The sensitivity of ICER showed an 88.4% chance of TT not being cost-effective. The impact of PI incorporation was negative and the conduct about this could have been different if a previous cost-effectiveness analysis had been conducted.