6 research outputs found

    Management of hepatitis C in patients with chronic kidney disease

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    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent among chronic kidney disease (CKD) subjects under hemodialysis and in kidney transplantation (KT) recipients, being an important cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. the vast majority of HCV chronic infections in the hemodialysis setting are currently attributable to nosocomial transmission. Acute and chronic hepatitis C exhibits distinct clinical and laboratorial features, which can impact on management and treatment decisions. in hemodialysis subjects, acute infections are usually asymptomatic and anicteric; since spontaneous viral clearance is very uncommon in this context, acute infections should be treated as soon as possible. in KT recipients, the occurrence of acute hepatitis C can have a more severe course, with a rapid progression of liver fibrosis. in these patients, it is recommended to use pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) in combination with ribavirin, with doses adjusted according to estimated glomerular filtration rate. There is no evidence suggesting that chronic hepatitis C exhibits a more aggressive course in CKD subjects under conservative management. in these subjects, indication of treatment with PEG-IFN plus ribavirin relies on the CKD stage, rate of progression of renal dysfunction and the possibility of a preemptive transplant. HCV infection has been associated with both liver disease-related deaths and cardiovascular mortality in hemodialysis patients. Among those individuals, low HCV viral loads and the phenomenon of intermittent HCV viremia are often observed, and sequential HCV RNA monitoring is needed. Despite the poor tolerability and suboptimal efficacy of antiviral therapy in CKD patients, many patients can achieve sustained virological response, which improve patient and graft outcomes. Hepatitis C eradication before KT theoretically improves survival and reduces the occurrence of chronic graft nephropathy, de novo glomerulonephritis and post-transplant diabetes mellitus.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, Hepatol Sect, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, Hepatol Sect, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

    Expanding the applicability of noninvasive fibrosis markers in HIV/HCV co-infected patients

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    Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, Hepatitis Sect, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Div Gastroenterol, Hepatitis Sect, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

    Is early virological response as predictive of the hepatitis C treatment response in dialysis patients as in non-uremic patients?

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    Objective: the aim of the present study was to determine whether hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA present at week 12 is a good predictor of the response to interferon (IFN) monotherapy in hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C.Methods: Hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C who were treated between 1997 and 2008 with IFN monotherapy for 48 weeks without dose reduction were included. the predictive value of HCV RNA at week 12 for achieving a sustained virological response (SVR) was determined.Results: Forty patients (mean age 47 +/- 9 years; 75% males and 80% with genotype 1) were included. Septal fibrosis or cirrhosis was observed in 38% of these patients. Twelve (30%) of the 40 patients achieved SVR. HCV RNA was undetectable at week 12 in 68%. the positive predictive value of HCV RNA at week 12 was 45% and the negative predictive value was 100%.Conclusions: the presence of HCV RNA at week 12 had a high negative predictive value for SVR in hemodialysis patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with IFN for 48 weeks. Therefore, if HCV RNA is detected at week 12, treatment should be discontinued due to the low probability of a sustained response. (0 2012 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

    Influência do gênero no tratamento da hepatite C crônica genótipo 1

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    INTRODUCTION: Although various studies have been published regarding the treatment of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with peginterferon (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin, little is known regarding the real impact of gender on the characteristics that influence the effectiveness and safety of antiviral treatment for CHC patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of gender on HCV treatment outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analytical study was conducted among selected carriers of CHC genotype 1, who were treated with Peg-IFN α-2b at a dose of 1.5 μg/kg or Peg-IFN α-2a at a dose of 180 μg/week plus a ribavirin dose of 1,000-1,250 mg/day, according to weight, between 2001 and 2007. RESULTS: Among 181 patients undergoing treatment, the mean age was 46.4 ± 11.0 years and 46% were women. At baseline, 32% of the patients had advanced fibrosis (F3-F4 Scheuer), and 83% of the subjects had viral load > 400,000 IU/ml, without significant difference between the genders (p = 0.428 and p = 0.452, respectively). When compared with men, women had higher incidence of many adverse events such as anemia (p < 0.001) and higher need for dose reduction, for both Peg-IFN (p = 0.004) and ribavirin (p = 0.006). However, the rate of sustained virological response (SVR) did not differ between the genders: 45% (female) vs 41% (male); p=0.464. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that women and men react differently to combined therapy, especially in relation to the incidence of adverse events and the need for dose modification. Nevertheless, these differences do not influence the SVR rate.INTRODUÇÃO: Apesar dos vários estudos publicados a respeito do tratamento da hepatite C crônica (CHC) com Peg-Interferon (Peg-IFN) e ribavirina, se desconhece o real impacto do gênero sobre as características que influenciam a eficácia e a segurança da terapia antiviral em portadores de CHC. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do gênero no tratamento da CHC. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo analítico retrospectivo de portadores de CHC genótipo 1 tratados com Peg-IFN α-2b na dose de 1,5μg/kg ou Peg-IFN α-2a na dose de180μg/sem associado à ribavirina 1.000-1.250 mg/dia, de acordo com o peso, entre 2001 e 2007. RESULTADOS: Entre 181 pacientes submetidos ao tratamento, a média de idade foi de 46,4±11,0 anos e 46% eram mulheres. No pré-tratamento, 32% dos pacientes apresentavam fibrose avançada (F3-F4 Scheuer), e 83% dos indivíduos apresentavam carga viral >400.000IU/mL, sem diferença significativa entre os gêneros (p=0,428 e p=0,452, respectivamente). Quando comparadas aos homens, as mulheres exibiram maior incidência de eventos adversos como anemia (p<0,001) e maior necessidade de redução de dose tanto do Peg-IFN (p=0,004) quanto da ribavirina (p=0,006). Entretanto, as taxas de resposta virológica sustentada (RVS) não diferiram entre os gêneros (45% (mulheres) . vs 41% (homens); p=0,464). CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo sugere que homens e mulheres reagem à terapia combinada de forma diferente, especialmente com relação aos eventos adversos e à necessidade de modificação de dose. No entanto, essas diferenças não influenciam as taxas de RVS
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