Dynamic Changes in Non-Invasive Markers of Liver Fibrosis Are Predictors of Liver Events after SVR in HCV Patients.

The course of progressive liver damage after achieving sustained virological response (SVR) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) remains undetermined. We aimed to determine risk factors associated with the development of liver-related events (LREs) after SVR, focusing on the utility of non-invasive markers. An observational, retrospective study that included patients with advanced chronic liver disease (ACLD) caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV), who achieved SVR with DAAs between 2014 and 2017.

HCV microelimination strategies: An interventional study in diagnosed patients without access to the system.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) one-step diagnosis improves recovery in patients with active infection. However, patients with previous anti-HCV+ may be excluded. We aimed to identify and retrieve non-referred or lost-to-follow-up HCV-infected patients.

Liver manifestations in COVID-19 and the influence of pre-existing liver disease in the course of the infection.

Introduction: patients with advanced chronic liver disease (CLD) may be at an increased risk of a severe course due to cirrhosis-associated immune dysfunction. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of CLD in COVID-19 patients and to analyze the course of the infection, compared with patients with non-liver disease.

Materials And Methods: this was a retrospective single center study of all patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test from March 23rd to April 30th, 2020.

Chronic hepatitis C patients lost in the system: predictive factors of non-referral or loss of follow-up in Hepatology units.

Introduction: several barriers remain in the hepatitis C care cascade, which need to be removed in order to eliminate chronic hepatitis C. These barriers include deficiencies in screening and confirmatory diagnosis as well as difficulties in accessing treatment.

Aims: to identify factors associated with the non-referral of patients with positive hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies and to identify factors associated with loss of follow-up or non-attendance of these patients to specialist consultation after referral.

Hepatitis C Virus Clearance by Direct-Acting Antivirals Agents Improves Endothelial Dysfunction and Subclinical Atherosclerosis: HEPCAR Study.

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been related to increased cardiovascular (CV) risk. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with hepatitis C virus treated with direct-acting antiviral agents.

Methods: A total of 114 patients were prospectively recruited and underwent CV risk assessment including (i) endothelial dysfunction determined through laser Doppler flowmetry and (ii) subclinical atherosclerosis, elucidated by the ankle-brachial index (ABI).

Long-term follow-up of patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with α-interferon and ribavirin antiviral therapy: clinical and fibrosis impact of treatment response.

Background And Goals: The slow progression of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection requires long observation periods to detect clinical changes. We compare the incidence of clinical events, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), overall mortality, liver-related mortality, and fibrosis progression between patients with a sustained virological response (SVR) and nonresponders (NR) after a 13-year follow-up period.

Study: One hundred and eighty-two CHC patients, who received interferon and ribavirin treatment between 1996 and 2000, were included.