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GE-Portuguese Journal of Gastroenterology
Print version ISSN 2341-4545On-line version ISSN 2387-1954
Abstract
GUEDES, Tiago Pereira et al. Long-Term Follow-Up of a Portuguese Single-Centre Cohort of Persons with Haemophilia and Hepatitis C Virus Infection. GE Port J Gastroenterol [online]. 2021, vol.28, n.2, pp.79-86. Epub Jan 20, 2022. ISSN 2341-4545. https://doi.org/10.1159/000510023.
Introduction:
Persons with haemophilia (PWH) used to represente a population with a high prevalence of hepatitis C vírus (HCV) infection due to the use of contaminated blood products. Although the goals of antiviral therapy are the same as the general population, long real-life follow-up data regarding their outcomes are still scarce. Our aim was to report the outcomes of HCV infection and the results of antiviral therapy in PWH.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed in a single-centre cohort of PWH with positive HCV antibody. Outcomes registered were rate of spontaneous clearance of HCV, sustained virologic response (SVR) achievement, development of end-stage liver disease, and all-cause and liver-related mortality.
Results:
Out of 131 PWH, 73 (55.7%) had positive HCV antibody. During a median follow-up time of 22 years, 46 patients (63.9%) developed chronic hepatitis C, of which 16 (34.8%) developed cirrhosis. Treatment was pursued in 34 PWH. Most (n = 32) were first treated with interferon (IFN)-based regimens with SVR rates of 40.6%. Direct-acting antivirals were used in 14 IFNexperienced and 2 naïve patients, with an overall SVR rate of 100%. Overall, 17 patients (23.3%) died during the follow-up, only 4 related to liver disease. Of these, none had achieved SVR.
Conclusions:
We describe the outcomes of a cohort of Portuguese PWH and hepatitis C exposure after two decades of follow-up, with a lower mortality than previously described. Our response rates to HCV treatment were comparable to those in the general population and stress the importance of early treatment.
Keywords : Hepatitis C; chronic Haemophilia A; Haemophilia B; End-stage liver disease; Direct-acting antiviral.