Reduced Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Viral Liver Disease as Assessed by SF12 Questionnaire

Abstract Background & Aim

Sequence Variability At the Internal Ribosome Entry Site of the Hcv Genome in Relation to Therapy Outcome

Different types of interferon are widely used to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Results obtained in vitro suggest that interferon inhibits internal ribosome entry site (IRES)-mediated translation of the HCV genome. To elucidate the possible effect of the nucleotide sequence of IRES on therapy outcome, we compared HCV isolates from patients with sustained response and non-response to interferon/ribavirin combination therapy. In 56 analyzed HCV isolates, nucleotide changes appeared strictly in the stem-loop IIIb region, the stem part from 243 nt to 248 nt, and the polypyrimidine-II region. The natural sequence variability of IRES in isolates of genotype 3a was significantly higher than in isolates of genotype 1b (p LT 0.05). The average number of nucleotide changes in genotype 3a correlated with response to therapy (p LT 0.05)

Older age at the time of liver biopsy is the important risk factor for advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Background/Aims: Progression of chronic hepatitis C depends on the host and viral characteristics, duration of infection, co-infection with other viruses, etc. In this study, some of demographic, epidemiological and viral data as risk factors for a degree of liver fibrosis were evaluated. Methodology: A total of 144 patients was investigated (89 males, ages from 16-65 years) classified into two groups, with fibrosis scores 0-3 and 4-6, using the Ishak scoring system. Significant variables were entered into univariate logistic regression model and further multivariate analysis was performed. Results: There were 64% and 36% of patients with fibrosis scores 0-3 and 4-6, respectively. Gender, moderate to heavy alcohol abuse and high viral RNA were equally distributed between both groups. In univariate analysis, the age older than 40, history of intravenous drug abuse, and the genotype 1b were independently associated with different fibrosis scores. Multivariate regression analysis revealed ages older than 40 as the positive (p LT 0.001), and younger than 40 as the negative predictive factors for fibrosis scores 4-6 and 0-3 (p LT 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Our results indicate the age over 40 at the time of liver biopsy as the important risk factor for advanced liver disease in chronic hepatitis C according to fibrosis scores

Hepatitis C virus genotypes in Serbia and Montenegro: The prevalence and clinical significance

AIM: To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Serbia and Montenegro and their influence on some clinical characteristics in patients with chronic HCV infection. METHODS: A total of 164 patients was investigated. Complete history route of infection, assessment of alcohol consumption, an abdominal ultrasound, standard biochemical tests and liver biopsy were done. Gene sequencing of 5 NTR type-specific PCR or commercial kits was performed for HCV genotyping and subtyping. The SPSS for Windows (version 10.0) was used for univariate regression analysis with further multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 1b3a and 1b4 were present in 57.9%, 3.79/b, 23.2%, 6.7%, 6.7% and 1.8% of the patients, respectively. The genotype 1 (mainly the subtype 1b) was found to be independent of age in subjects older than 40 years, high viral load, more severe necro-inflammatory activity, advanced stage of fibrosis, and absence of intravenous drug abuse. The genotype 3a was associated with intravenous drug abuse and the age below 40. Multivariate analysis demonstrated age over 40 and intravenous drug abuse as the positive predictive factors for the genotypes 1b and 3a, respectively. CONCLUSION: In Serbia and Montenegro, the genotypes 1b and 3a predominate in patients with chronic HCV infection. The subtype 1b is characteristic of older patients, while the genotype 3a is common in drug abusers. Association of the subtype lb with advanced liver disease, higher viral load and histological activity suggests earlier infection with this genotype and eventually its increased pathogenicity. (c) 2007 The WJG Press. All rights reserved