直接抗病毒药物治疗慢性丙型肝炎的效果及对肝硬度、APRI的影响

目的探讨目前直接抗病毒药物(DAA)治疗方案下,慢性丙型肝炎患者真实世界病毒应答情况及对肝硬度值和天门冬氨酸/血小板比值指数(APRI)的影响。方法连续性纳入2018年4月1日-2018年11月30日在天津市第三中心医院接受DAA治疗的慢性丙型肝炎患者,应用无干扰素方案的DAA治疗12～24周,评估治疗结束后第12周病毒学应答情况,对比基线及治疗结束后12周肝硬度值和APRI的变化。计量资料两组间比较采用Wilcoxon秩和检验。结果共纳入212例慢性丙型肝炎患者,其中肝硬化患者占35. 4%,基因1b、2a、3a、6a型分别占75. 0%、18. 4%、4. 2%及2. 4%。174例患者完成了DAA治疗疗程及治疗后12周随访。在DAA治疗结束和治疗结束后12周获得持续病毒学应答(SVR)的比例分别为98. 3%及95. 4%。基因1b型、2a型、3a型及6a型患者的SVR12分别为96. 3%、93. 1%、80. 0%及100%。治疗结束后12周肝硬度值较基线[9. 8(6. 9～16. 3) kPa vs 11. 4(7. 7～19. 1) kPa,Z=-2. 5,P=0. 012]及APRI[0. 34(0. 25～0. 64) vs 0. 76(0. 56～2. 25),Z=-6. 6,P 0. 001]均明显下降。根据基线是否存在肝硬化进行分组,结果显示治疗结束12周非肝硬化组患者肝硬度值较基线显著降低[7. 6(6. 6～10. 7) k Pa vs 8. 8(7. 2～13. 0) kPa,Z=-2. 7,P=0. 007];而肝硬化组患者治疗前后肝硬度值无明显差异[17. 4(12. 7～22. 1) k Pa vs 19. 8(12. 8～24. 9) kPa,Z=-1. 4,P=0. 152]。肝硬化组和非肝硬化组患者APRI在治疗后12周较基线均明显下降[0. 73 (0. 52～1. 34) vs1. 37(0. 80～2. 11),Z=-3. 4,P 0. 001; 0. 29(0. 21～0. 36) vs 0. 54(0. 31～0. 95),Z=-6. 8,P 0. 001]。结论在该真实世界研究中,应用DAA治疗的慢性丙型肝炎患者总体病毒学应答率较高,治疗结束后12周肝硬度及APRI明显改善。     

直接抗病毒药物治疗慢性丙型肝炎48周临床观察

背景慢性丙型肝炎(chronic hepatitis C,CHC)是全球公共卫生问题,随着直接抗病毒药(direct antiviral therapy,DAA)在中国的应用,DAA药物成为目前国内慢性丙型肝炎抗病毒一线方案,但目前真实世界DAA治疗后长期疗效数据尚少.目的观察慢性丙型肝炎患者接受直接抗病毒药物抗病毒治疗后48 wk病毒学应答及临床疗效.方法连续收集2018-04-01/2020-04-30在天津市第三中心医院接受DAA治疗的初治CHC患者,评估治疗基线、治疗结束、治疗后12 wk及48 wk的病毒学应答及肝肾功能、肝硬度、APRI及临床结局.结果共收集291例应用DAA治疗的CHC患者,纳入145例完成抗病毒治疗及随访的CHC患者进入本研究.其中肝硬化患者占28.3%,基因型1b、2a、3a、6a分别占78.0%、17.2%、2.8%、2.0%.DAA治疗结束、治疗后12 wk及48 wk获得持续病毒学应答(sustained virological response,SVR)比例分别为100%、97.9%和97.2%,其中基因型1b、2a、3a、6a的SVR48分别为97.3%、96%、100%、100%.治疗结束后48 wk与基线相比较,丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、总胆红素及白蛋白的复常率分别为93.2%、91.7%、73.3%及97.7%.治疗结束后48 wk肝硬度(liver stiffness measurement,LSM)及APRI与基线水平相比均明显下降(LSM 12.5 vs 10.2kpa P<0.01;APRI 0.34 vs 0.13 P<0.01),肝硬化组及非肝硬化组患者均有明显下降(P<0.05).48 wk随访期间,其中4例(2.8%)CHC患者进展为肝硬化,8例(5.6%)肝硬化患者进展为肝硬化失代偿,3例(2.1%)肝硬化患者发生新发肝细胞癌(hepatocellular carcinoma,HCC).结论本研究真实世界中慢性丙型肝炎患者应用DAA治疗后48 wk,总体病毒持续应答率较高,肝功能、肝硬度及APRI值均明显改善.2.1%患者出现新发HCC.     

直接抗病毒药物治疗慢性丙型肝炎合并血小板减少患者的效果分析

目的探讨慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）合并血小板（PLT）减少患者应用直接抗病毒药物（DAA）的临床疗效及对PLT的影响。方法回顾分析2018年4月—2019年3月在天津市第三中心医院接受DAA治疗合并PLT减少（PLT<150×10⁹/L）的CHC患者83例,应用无干扰素方案的DAA治疗12～24周,评估治疗结束（EOT）及结束后第12周患者病毒学应答、肝功能指标、PLT、肝硬度（LSM）的变化。正态分布的计量资料组间比较采用重复测量资料的方差分析。非正态分布的计量资料组间比较前进行正态转换,后行重复测量资料的方差分析。logistic回归分析影响PLT升高的预测因素。绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC曲线）评价基线LSM对治疗后PLT升高的预测价值。结果 83例CHC合并PLT减少的患者中,肝硬化患者占61.4%,治疗结束后12周持续病毒学应答（SVR12）率为98.8%。与基线相比较,EOT及SVR12时,患者血清AST、ALT、GGT、TBil、Glo水平下降,Alb水平升高,LSM明显下降,差异均有统计学意义（P值均<0.05）。患者PLT在EOT[（1...     

索磷布韦/维帕他韦联合或不联合利巴韦林治疗基因3型慢性丙型肝炎病毒感染者的疗效及安全性:一项真实世界研究

目的评估索磷布韦/维帕他韦(sofosbuvir/velpatasvir,SOF/VEL)联合或不联合利巴韦林(ribavirin,RBV)治疗基因3型慢性丙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis c virus,HCV)感染者的有效性及安全性。方法以2018年12月至2020年1月至成都市公共卫生临床医疗中心就诊的84例基因3型慢性HCV感染者为研究对象,其中慢性丙型肝炎56例,代偿期肝硬化17例,失代偿期肝硬化11例。根据患者病情予以SOF/VEL联合或不联合RBV抗病毒治疗12~24周,检测患者基线、治疗4周、治疗结束时以及治疗结束后12周肝功能[丙氨酸氨基转移酶(alanine transaminase,ALT)、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶(aspartate transaminase,AST)、总胆红素(total bilirubin,TBil)、白蛋白(albumin,ALB)]、肾功能[尿素、肌酐(creatinine,Cr)]和血常规[白细胞(white blood cell,WBC)、血红蛋白(hemoglobin,HGB)和血小板(platelet,PLT)]等指标,检测基线和治疗结束后12周的肝硬度值。同时详细记录患者在治疗期间的不良事件。主要结局指标为治疗结束后12周的持续病毒学应答(sustained virological response,SVR)和治疗中不良事件的发生情况。结果共80例患者(95.2%)达到SVR12,其中慢性丙型肝炎、代偿期肝硬化及失代偿期肝硬化患者的SVR12分别为100%(56/56)、94.1%(16/17)和72.7%(8/11),差异有统计学意义(P=0.003)。慢性丙型肝炎组、代偿期肝硬化及失代偿期肝硬化患者治疗结束后12周肝硬度值均较基线显著降低[(6.7±0.7)kPa vs(7.4±1.1)kPa,(17.8±3.1)kPa vs(25.9±3.4)kPa,(23.0±4.5)kPa vs(31.0±4.9)kPa;P均<0.001]。3组患者治疗后ALT和AST均较基线显著降低(P均<0.05),尿素、Cr、WBC和PLT差异无统计学意义(P均>0.05)。代偿期肝硬化和失代偿期肝硬化患者治疗后ALB较基线显著升高,HGB较基线显著降低(P均<0.05)。84例患者总体不良事件发生率为13.1%(11/84),其中慢性丙型肝炎、代偿期肝硬化和失代偿期肝硬化患者不良事件发生率分别为8.9%(5/56)、11.8%(2/17)和36.4%(4/11),差异无统计学意义(P=0.055),常见的不良事件包括疲劳、头痛和贫血等,无严重不良事件发生,无因不良事件导致的治疗中止。结论应用SOF/VEL联合或不联合RBV方案治疗基因3型慢性HCV感染者具有较高的SVR12,不良事件发生率较低,疗效显著,安全性良好。     

直接抗病毒药物治疗肝移植术后 HCV感染复发的有效性和安全性分析

[摘要]　目的　评估直接抗病毒药物（direct antivirus agent, DAA）治疗肝移植术后HCV感染复发的有效性和安全性。方法?回顾性分析首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院2011年2月—2018年12月收治的14例肝移植术后HCV感染复发患者的DAA治疗临床数据，比较患者基线与治疗结束后肝肾功能、血常规、凝血功能、病毒学水平以及无创纤维化评分天冬氨酸转氨酶血小板比率指数（aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index, APRI）的差异。利用电子病历系统和电话随访收集患者治疗期间不良反应发生情况。结果?所有患者均在治疗结束时达到病毒学清除，12周、24周持续病毒学应答率均为100%，DAA治疗后随访17～44个月，期间均未见病毒学复发。与基线水平相比，治疗终点时ALT、AST、TBIL、γ-谷氨酰转移酶以及无创纤维化评分APRI显著下降，WBC、HGB、PLT、CRE、肾小球滤过率和血糖等指标均未见显著变化。DAA治疗期间共3例患者发生不良反应，均为轻度，可自然缓解。结论?肝移植术后HCV感染复发的DAA治疗是安全有效的。     

索非布韦/达拉他韦加利巴韦林治疗丙型肝炎肝硬化的疗效及安全性

目的观察索非布韦/达拉他韦加利巴韦林治疗丙型肝炎肝硬化患者的疗效和安全性。方法纳入2016年5月至2017年5月就诊于昆明市第三人民医院肝病科的丙型肝炎肝硬化患者129例,给予索非布韦/达拉他韦加利巴韦林抗病毒治疗12周,治疗后随访12周,观察治疗结束12周后持续性病毒学应答(SVR12)、生化学应答、肝纤维化改善和治疗期间的不良反应。结果 129例患者HCV RNA基线水平为(5.91±1.33)lgIU/mL,治疗2周时为(1.67±1.24)lgIU/mL,治疗2周75.78%患者HCV RNA达到检测下限;治疗12周时93.44%患者HCV RNA检测不到。129例患者基线的FibroScan值为(17.57±9.86);治疗12周时的FibroScan值为(8.32±1.47)kPa(与基线相比,t=15.852,P=0.000);TBil、ALT、AST基线时分别为(24.07±18.12)μmol/L、(91.42±54.56)U/L和(81.06±40.45)U/L,治疗2周时TBil、ALT、AST均显著下降(t=2.408,P=0.017;t=11.054,P=0.000;t=12.227,P=0.000),生化学应答达100%。6例未取得SVR12的患者多因素回归分析显示,复治是独立预测因子。主要不良反应为乏力和头痛,无严重不良反应发生。结论丙型肝炎肝硬化患者索非布韦/达拉他韦加利巴韦林方案可获得较高的SVR12率和生化学应答率,肝纤维化改善明显,且具有良好的安全性。     

益气活血方治疗慢性病毒性肝炎肝纤维化的临床研究

目的明确益气活血方治疗慢性病毒性肝炎肝纤维化的临床疗效。方法采用开放、阳性药平行对照研究的方法,选取经肝穿活组织学及肝脏瞬时弹性成像技术检查确诊的慢性乙型及丙型肝炎肝纤维化患者207例,根据中医辨证施治的原则,分别采用自拟益气活血方(n=127)和扶正化瘀胶囊(n=80)治疗,疗程均为24~48周。对比分析两组患者中医症候积分、肝脏生化学、肝脏硬度值(LSM)、无创性肝纤维化指数[天冬氨酸转氨酶与血小板比值指数(APRI)、基于4因子的肝纤维化指标(FIB-4)]的变化,评估益气活血方抗肝纤维化疗效。结果益气活血方组和扶正化瘀胶囊组患者基线LSM、APRI、FIB-4比较,P值均>0.05,差异均无统计学意义。应用益气活血方和扶正化瘀胶囊患者症候积分均有一定程度改善,益气活血方在改善肝病面容、肝区不适及腰膝酸软方面优于扶正化瘀胶囊(P<0.05);肝脏生物化学指标(丙氨酸转氨酶、天冬氨酸转氨酶、γ-谷氨酰转移酶、碱性磷酸酶)随疗程延长逐渐复常,治疗24~48周复常率两组分别为100%对比100%、100%对比93.8%、96.8%对比92.3%及87.5%对比81.8%。治疗12周后两组APRI值均显著降低;治疗48周,两组LSM显著改善;而FIB-4显著改善仅见于益气活血方治疗48周,与扶正化瘀治疗组比较差异有统计学意义,P<0.05。两组治疗后LSM、APRI、FIB-4的总有效率分别为80.0%对比63.6%,P=0.046;68.4%对比52.0%,P=0.052;68.4%对比62.0%,P=0.437;益气活血方治疗患者LSM总有效率显著高于扶正化瘀胶囊治疗组。结论中药益气活血方可作为治疗慢性病毒性肝炎肝纤维化的优选方案。     

替比夫定治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎48周疗效评估

目的探讨HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎初治患者服用替比夫定的近期疗效。方法给予48例HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎初治患者口服替比夫定治疗48周,观察患者应答情况。结果在治疗12周、24周和48周时,患者血清学应答率分别为22.9%、56.2%和64.6%,它们与基线ALT、AST和HBV DNA水平无相关;12周、24周、48周病毒学应答率分别为47.9%、85.4%、89.6%,与基线ALT、AST、HBV DNA水平无相关性(P>0.05),48周病毒学应答率高低与24周呈正相关(P<0.01);12周、24周、48周生化学应答率分别为47.9%、83.3%、95.8%,24周生化学应答发生与否与基线ALT、AST水平有相关性,发生生化学应答者治疗前ALT和AST水平明显高于未发生生化学应答者(P<0.05)。本组患者中有3例发生无肌肉症状的磷酸肌酸激酶升高(192～610U/L)。结论替比夫定治疗HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎48周疗效满意,耐受性较好。     

直接抗病毒药物治疗慢性丙型肝炎的临床疗效观察

目的评估直接抗病毒药物(DAA)治疗慢性丙型肝炎的临床效果及安全性。方法入组106例慢性丙型肝炎患者,HCV RNA均为阳性,病毒载量为5.955e×10~4～1.688e×10~8 IU/mL,其中基因1b型与2a型分别是62例、44例,并有11例肝硬化肝功能失代偿患者均为1b型。对于1b型无肝硬化以及2a型的慢性丙型肝炎采用索菲布韦联合达卡他韦治疗,1b型肝硬化患者加用利巴韦林,疗程12周。1b型肝硬化肝功能失代偿患者不能耐受利巴韦林,延长疗程至24周。治疗过程中观察HCV RNA、肝功能、凝血功能、血常规及药物的安全性。结果 58.5%的患者获得超快速病毒学应答(SRVR)(1周),99%的患者在治疗4周时获得完全病毒学应答,疗程结束时病毒应答率为99%;治疗前后对照ALT,AST下降至正常范围(P0.05)、肝硬化组Alb升高(P0.05),但TBil治疗前后的变化不明显,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);随访12和24周时持续病毒学应答高(SVR12、SVR24均为99%),不良反应轻微且出现率不高,例如胃肠不适(2例),头痛(5例),乏力、腹胀(10例)。结论索菲布韦联合达卡他韦治疗慢性丙型肝炎安全性好、不良反应低、疗效肯定。对慢性丙型肝炎的远期疗效有待进一步观察。     

瞬时弹性成像技术、APRI及FIB-4对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断价值

目的探讨肝脏瞬时弹性成像技术检测肝脏硬度(LSM)、AST-PLT比值指数(APRI)、基于4因子的肝纤维化指数(FIB-4)对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断价值。方法选取2016年1月1日-2018年12月31日于湖南省儿童医院新生儿外科行Kasai术的胆道闭锁患儿110例。收集患儿术中肝脏病理活检标本及术前1周内血常规、肝功能、瞬时弹性成像检查结果。计数资料组间比较采用χ2检验,非正态分布的计量资料多组间比较采用Kruskal-Wallis H秩和检验。采用MedCalc软件绘制受试者工作特征曲线(ROC曲线),通过ROC曲线评估瞬时弹性成像技术、APRI和FIB-4对胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化程度的诊断效能。采用Spearman相关法进行相关性分析。结果ROC曲线分析显示,LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁明显肝纤维化(F≥2)的临界值分别为9.250 kPa、0.680、0.047,ROC曲线下面积(AUC)分别为0.874[95%可信区间(95%CI):0.778~0.970]、0.636(95%CI:0.362~0.911)、0.622(95%CI:0.363~0.880);LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁进展性肝纤维化(F≥3)的临界值分别为10.75 kPa、0.70、0.05,AUC分别为0.781(95%CI:0.689~0.873)、0.519(95%CI:0.401~0.636)、0.506(95%CI:0.389~0.623);LSM、APRI、FIB-4用于判断胆道闭锁肝硬化(F≥4)的临界值分别为11.85 kPa、0.82、0.09,AUC分别为0.855(95%CI:0.769~0.942)、0.701(95%CI:0.599~0.803)、0.717(95%CI:0.609~0.825)。相关性分析结果显示,LSM值与AST水平呈正相关(r=0.258,P=0.007),与PLT水平呈负相关(r=-0.248,P=0.009)。结论瞬时弹性成像技术对于胆道闭锁患儿肝纤维化分级具有较高的准确性,其诊断肝纤维化程度的临床价值高于APRI、FIB-4。     

Hepatitis B Co-Infection Has Limited Impact on Liver Stiffness Regression in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients Treated with Direct-Acting Antivirals

Introduction: High sustained virological response (SVR) rate (>95%) and liver stiffness regression can be achieved with direct acting antivirals treatment (DAA) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (CHC) infection. Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) was reported during DAA treatment in patients co-infected with HBV, although its impact on liver stiffness remains unknown. This study aims to investigate whether the liver stiffness (LSM) regression is different between HBV/HCV co-infected and mono-HCV-infected patients. Materials and Methods: CHC patients with/without HBV co-infection who received DAA treatment and achieved SVR12 between March 2015 and December 2019 in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou branch were prospectively enrolled. LSM was assessed by transient elastography (TE, Fibroscan) at baseline and after SVR. Propensity score matching (PSM) at 3:1 ratio, adjusted for age, gender, pre-DAA alanine aminotransferase (ALT), platelet count, and LSM, between CHC with and without HBV co-infection, was performed before further analysis. Results: Among 906 CHC patients enrolled, 52 (5.7%) patients had HBV/HCV co-infection. Patients with HBV/HCV co-infection were of younger age (61.8 vs. 63.2, p = 0.31), with a higher proportion of males (53.8% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.03), and lower pretreatment LSM level (8.15 vs. 10.2 kPa, p = 0.09), while other features were comparable. After PSM, patients with HBV/HCV co-infection had insignificantly lower LSM regression compared to mono-HCV-infected patients (−0.85 kPa vs. −1.65 kPa, p = 0.250). Conclusions: The co-infection of HBV among CHC patients has limited impact on liver stiffness regression after successful DAA treatment.     

DAAs therapy associated with improved hepatic fibrosis in HCV-GT4 patients co-infected with HIV

ABSTRACT

Background: The present work aimed at evaluation of the potential dynamic changes in hepatic fibrosis following treatment of chronic HCV using DAAs in patients coinfected with HIV.

Patients and methods: In total, 50 HCV/HIV coinfected patients [age; 34.68 ± 10.38 years, 82% men] were included. For all included patients, liver stiffness measured using transient elastography as well as serum liver fibrosis scores; [fibrosis‐4 (FIB‐4) score and the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI)] were calculated at baseline and at 12 and 24-weeks following 12 weeks therapy of HCV with once daily sofosbuvir 400 mg plus daclatasvir 60 mg.

Results: Most of the included patients (70%, n = 35) were on anti-retroviral therapy. SVR24 was achieved by 93.48% of the patients. There was significant serial improvement in baseline liver stiffness measurement (LSM), FIB-4 and APRI among responders; [LSM: baseline, 7.05 ± 4.84 kPa vs. 5.66 ± 2.63 kPa at SVR24, p < 0.001], [FIB-4: baseline, 1.24 ± 1.08 vs. 0.93 ± 0.64 at SVR24, p 0.001) and (APRI: baseline, 0.725 ± 0.66 vs. 0.36 ± 0.19at SVR24, p 0.001) respectively.

Conclusion: Treatment of HCV patients coinfected with HIV using DAAs is associated with a rapid significant regression in hepatic fibrosis, as evaluated by FibroScan, FIB-4, and APRI scores.     

Efficacy and safety of glecaprevir/pibrentasvir treatment in Koreans with chronic hepatitis C: A retrospective study

Background and study aimsThe introduction of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) drugs has dramatically improved chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treatment. The pangenotype DAA therapy glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (G/P) was recently recommended for treating CHC in Korea. Unfortunately, given its recent introduction, little real-world data from a Korean population exists. We examined the effectiveness and safety of G/P treatment in Koreans with CHC.Patients and methodsWe analyzed CHC patients at Samsung Changwon Hospital from June 2018 to December 2020. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks posttreatment (SVR 12) was evaluated after treatment, and the associated factors were analyzed. Furthermore, the degree of liver fibrosis before and after treatment was compared to determine whether liver fibrosis improved.ResultsIn total, 102 patients were enrolled; 35.3 % had compensated liver cirrhosis (LC), and 11.8 % had received previous treatment. Of the 102 patients, 99 (97.1 %) reached SVR 12. Of the 81 patients who completed 8 weeks of G/P treatment, 80 (98.8 %) reached SVR 12, while 19 of the 21 (90.5 %) patients in the 12- or 16-week group reached SVR 12, with no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.107). As a secondary endpoint, liver fibrosis before and after treatment was also compared. The Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) (3.3 vs 2.8, P = 0.010), aspartate transaminase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI) (1.3 vs 1.0, P < 0.001), and liver stiffness measurements (LSM) (9.5 vs 4.6, P < 0.001) were significantly different after G/P treatment.ConclusionsRegardless of genotype, G/P treatment for Koreans with CHC is safe, highly effective, and can improve liver fibrosis.     

Predictive value of FIB-4 and APRI versus METAVIR on sustained virologic response in genotype 1 hepatitis C patients

Purpose

Advanced liver fibrosis is a negative predictor of virologic response in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients. Biopsy, however, is invasive, costly, and carries some risk of complications.

Methods

Using data from the prospective, international cohort study PROPHESYS, we assessed two alternative noninvasive measures of fibrosis, the FIB-4 and AST-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), to predict virologic response in CHC patients.

Results

CHC genotype 1, monoinfected, treatment-naive patients prescribed peginterferon alfa-2a (40 KD)/ribavirin in accordance with country-specific legal and regulatory requirements and who had baseline METAVIR, FIB-4, and APRI scores (N = 1,592) were included in this analysis. Patients were stratified according to the baseline METAVIR, FIB-4, or APRI score to assess virologic response [hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA <50 IU/mL] by week 4 of treatment (rapid virologic response) and 24 weeks after untreated follow-up ]sustained virologic response (SVR)]. Baseline predictors of SVR were explored by multiple logistic regression, and the strength of the association between each fibrosis measure and SVR was evaluated. Both FIB-4 and APRI scores increased with increasing levels of biopsy-assessed fibrosis. The association between FIB-4 and SVR (p < 0.1 × 10^?30) was stronger than that between METAVIR (p = 3.86 × 10^?13) or APRI (p = 5.48 × 10^?6) and SVR. Baseline factors significantly associated with SVR included male gender, lower HCV RNA, lower FIB-4 score, no steatosis, and higher alanine aminotransferase ratio.

Conclusion

The FIB-4 index provides a valuable, noninvasive measure of fibrosis and can be used to predict virologic response in patients treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (40  KD)/ribavirin.     

Validation and comparison of simple noninvasive models for the prediction of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

Introduction. Although it is standard procedure in the evaluation of liver diseases, biopsy is an invasive method subject to sampling error and intra or inter-observer variability. Thus, surrogate markers of liver fibrosis have been proposed, with variable availability and accuracy.Aim. Validate and compare the performance of APRI and FIB-4 as predictors of liver fibrosis in HCV patients.Material and methods. Cross-sectional study including patients with HCV-RNA (+) who underwent liver biopsy. Significant fibrosis was defined as METAVIR stage ≥ 2. The diagnostic performance of the models in predicting significant fibrosis were evaluated and compared by ROC curves.Results. The study included 119 patients, mean age 43.7 ± 10.6 years and 62% males. Significant fibrosis was identified in 41 patients. The AUROCs observed were: APRI = 0.793 ± 0.047, FIB-4 = 0.811 ± 0.045 and AST/ALT = 0.661 ± 0.055 (P = 0.054 for APRI vs. AST/ALT, and P = 0.014 for FIB-4 vs. AST/ALT). Considering classic cutoffs, the PPV and NPV for APRI and FIB-4 were, respectively, 77% and 92% and 83% and 81%. Thirteen (19%) patients were misdiagnosed by APRI and 16 (18%) by FIB-4. By restricting the indication of liver biopsy to patients with intermediate values, it could have been correctly avoided in 47% and 63% of the patients with APRI and FIB-4, respectively.Conclusion. The models APRI and FIB-4 were superior to AST/ALT ratio in the diagnosis of significant fibrosis in chronic HCV infection. Even though the overall performance of APRI and FIB-4 was similar, a higher proportion of patients may be correctly classified by FIB-4.     

The Influence of Treatment with Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir on Growth Parameters in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: There are limited data available on the influence of direct-acting antivirals used to treat chronic hepatitis C (CHC) on growth in children. In this study, we aimed to analyze the growth parameters in children treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF). Methods: We included 38 patients (16 girls and 22 boys) aged 10–17 years treated with LDV/SOF for CHC (33 infected with genotype 1 and 5 with genotype 4; 36 were treated for 12 weeks, and 2 for 24 weeks according to the current guidelines). Patient weight and height were measured at baseline, after 4 weeks of treatment, at the end of the treatment (EOT), and 12 weeks and one year after the EOT. Body mass index (BMI), BMI z and height-for-age (HA) z scores were calculated according to the WHO Child Growth Standards and Growth reference data using the WHO anthropometric calculator AnthroPlus v. 1.0.4. In addition, correlations between BMI z scores and liver fibrosis (liver stiffness measurement, LSM), the aspartate transaminase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) and liver steatosis (controlled attenuation parameter, CAP) were analyzed. Results: At baseline, 5/38 (13%) patients were obese (BMI z score > 2 SD), 4/38 (11%) were overweight, and 29 (76%) were normal. A significant increase was observed in mean weight, height and BMI both 12 weeks and one year after the treatment compared to the baseline, whereas no differences were observed for BMI z scores and HA z scores. Baseline BMI z scores correlated with alanine aminotransferase levels (r = 0.33, 95% CI 0.01–0.58, p = 0.04), LSM (r = 0.40, 95% CI 0.09–0.65, p = 0.01), the APRI (r = 0.33, 95% CI 0.02–0.59, p = 0.03), and the CAP (r = 0.40, 95% CI 0.08–0.64, p = 0.01). No similar correlations were reported at 12 weeks posttreatment. Conclusions: Treatment with LDV/SOF in children with CHC (genotypes 1 and 4) did not negatively influence the patients’ growth. However, higher baseline BMI z scores correlated with more advanced liver fibrosis and steatosis in children with CHC.     

慢性丙型肝炎患者经抗病毒治疗至转氨酶正常后3个月肝硬度达稳定

目的探讨AIT升高的慢性丙型肝炎（CHC）患者经抗病毒治疗A岍恢复正常后肝硬度达到稳定的时间。方法从2011年5月起筛查就诊于北京大学人民医院的CHC初治患者，其中ALT升高者纳入研究组，应用FibroSean检测肝硬度；至2012年9月基线入组患者29例，规律抗病毒治疗后定期随访：每4周复查ALT，每8周复查肝硬度，采用自身配对设计，两两比较前后相邻值的变化，直至ALT与肝硬度不再明显改变。前后配对比较采用非参数Wilcoxon检验，重复测量数据的多重比较采用Bonferoni矫正检验水准。两变量相关系数采用Spearman等级相关法。结果随访至抗病毒24周，纳入分析患者24例，ALT中位数在基线、4周、8周、12周、24周分别为64、26、21、20、22U／L（前后两相邻值比较，P=0．000、0．006、0．337、0．109），即ALT于4周降至正常后继续下降，于8周后稳定；肝硬度中位数在基线、8、16、24周分别为8．7、7．8、6．8、6．7kPa（前后两相邻值比较，P=0．009、0．001、0．188），即16周前持续下降，16周后未再明显下降。肝硬度于ALT恢复正常后12周达稳定。结论ALT升高的CHC患者经抗病毒治疗ALT恢复正常后3个月，肝硬度值暂时达稳定。     

Vitamin E reduces liver stiffness in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of vitamin E treatment on liver stiffness in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).METHODS: Thirty-eight NAFLD patients were administered vitamin E for 1 year. The doses of vitamin E were 150, 300, or 600 mg; three times per day after each meal. Responses were assessed by liver enzyme levels [aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotranferease(ALT), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(γ-GTP)], noninvasive scoring systems of hepatic fibrosis-4 [FIB-4 index and aspartate aminotransferaseto-platelet index(APRI)], and liver stiffness [velocity of shear wave(Vs)] measured by acoustic radiation force impulse elastography. Vs measurements were performed at baseline and 12 mo after baseline. The patients were genotyped for the patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3(PNPLA3) polymorphisms and then divided into either the CC/CG or GG group to examine each group's responses to vitamin E treatment. RESULTS: We found marked differences in the platelet count, serum albumin levels, alkaline phosphatase levels, FIB-4 index, APRI, and Vs at baseline depending on the PNPLA3 polymorphism. AST, ALT, and γ-GTP levels(all P 0.001); FIB-4 index(P = 0.035); APRI(P 0.001); and Vs(P 0.001) significantly decreased from baseline to 12 mo in the analysis of all patients. In the subset analyses of PNPLA3 genotypes, AST levels(P = 0.011), ALT levels(P 0.001), γ-GTP levels(P = 0.005), APRI(P = 0.036), and Vs(P = 0.029) in genotype GG patients significantly improved, and AST and ALT levels(both P 0.001), γ-GTP levels(P = 0.003), FIB-4 index(P = 0.017), and APRI(P 0.001) in genotype CC/CG patients. CONCLUSION: One year of vitamin E treatment improved noninvasive fibrosis scores and liver stiffness in NAFLD patients. The responses were similar between different PNPLA3 genotypes.