Effectiveness of pangenotypic retreatment of chronic hepatitis C after prior failure of pangenotypic therapies.

Introduction: Despite the overall excellent efficacy of pangenotypic direct‑acting antiviral (DAA) options, there is still a small percentage of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who do not respond to the therapy.

Objectives: This analysis was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of pangenotypic retreatment in the cases of pangenotypic therapy failure.

Patients And Methods: The study included patients treated with the pangenotypic regimen, selected from the EpiTer‑2 database, a real‑world project evaluating DAA‑based treatment in Poland.

Hepatitis C Infection as a Risk Factor for Hypertension and Cardiovascular Diseases: An EpiTer Multicenter Study.

Hepatitis C infection is one of the main reasons for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent years, more and more is being heard about extrahepatic manifestations of the hepatitis C infection including its possible influence on the development of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In the given work, the frequency analysis of the incidence of hypertension and cardiovascular diseases among 2898 HCV-infected patients treated in Poland and the assessment of their relevance to the HCV genotype and the progression of liver fibrosis can be found.

HCV Genotype Has No Influence on the Incidence of Diabetes-EpiTer Multicentre Study.

HCV infection is one of the main reasons for liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In recent years, one finds more and more extrahepatic manifestations of HCV infection, including its possible influence on the development of diabetes. In the presented work, one finds the frequency analysis of the incidence of diabetes among 2898 HCV infected patients treated in Poland, and the assessment of their relevance to the HCV genotype and the progression of fibrosis.

Five-Year Follow-Up of Cured HCV Patients under Real-World Interferon-Free Therapy.

(1) Background: Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) has demonstrated high efficacy and an excellent safety profile. The cured patients showed a sustained virological response and improved liver function, but also a continued risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) during the 2-3 years of follow-up after treatment; (2) Methods: A total of 192 patients out of 209 of the primary AMBER study were analyzed five years after treatment with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir with or without dasabuvir and with or without ribavirin. Results: We confirmed that HCV clearance after DAA treatment is stable regardless of baseline liver fibrosis.

Cardiovascular risk assessment by electrocardiographic Holter monitoring in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are ranked as the third cause of mortality among people infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV), but the relationship of infection with cardiovascular risk remains disputable. We have focused on the comprehensive use of parameters obtainable during long-term electrocardiographic (ECG) Holter monitoring.

Material And Methods: Heart rate variability and turbulence (HRV and HRT), deceleration/acceleration capacity (DC/AC), corrected QT interval (QTc) and late potential (LP) were used.

Low risk of HBV reactivation in a large European cohort of HCV/HBV coinfected patients treated with DAA.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence and clinical characteristics of HCV/HBV coinfection and to evaluate the rate of HBV-reactivation during anti-HCV therapy in a large real-world study.

Methods: Analyzed population consisted of 10,152 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with DAA between 2015 and 2019 in a nationwide study. Prior to the DAA all subjects had HBsAg and 60% anti-HBc testing.

Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir in treatment-experienced HCV-infected patients - short report.

Aim Of The Study: The aim of this overview was to evaluate the efficacy of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) combination in a real-life setting, with particular regard to treatment-experienced individuals.

Material And Methods: Seventy-five consecutive patients who were treated with SOF/VEL, completed the 12-week follow-up and had sustained virologic response (SVR) evaluated were included in the analysis. Out of them, 60 (80%) patients were treatment-naïve and 15 (20%) were treatment-experienced.

Comparative effectiveness of 8 versus 12 weeks of Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/ritonavir and Dasabuvir in treatment-naïve patients infected with HCV genotype 1b with non-advanced hepatic fibrosis.

Purpose: Since 2017 treatment-naïve patients infected with genotype 1b of hepatitis C virus and minimal or moderate fibrosis can be treated with Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/ritonavir + Dasabuvir (OPrD) for 8 weeks according to updated Summary of Product Characteristics. The aim of our study was to assess the comparative efficacy of 8 and 12-weeks therapy with OPrD in large cohort of patients eligible for 8 weeks regimen treated in real-world setting.

Materials And Methods: We analysed data of 3067 HCV genotype 1b infected patients treated with OPrD between 2015 and 2017.

Effect of comedication on ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir ± dasabuvir ± ribavirin therapy in chronic hepatitis C - a real-world study.

Aim Of The Study: This multicentre study aimed to examine the actual risk for drug-drug interactions in a cohort of Polish patients, and their impact on antiviral therapy.

Material And Methods: Concomitant medications were analyzed in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients treated with still valuable therapy with OBV/PTV/r ± DSV ± RBV. An established online tool (http://www.

Is Interferon-Based Treatment of Viral Hepatitis C Genotype 3 Infection Still of Value in the Era of Direct-Acting Antivirals?

The aim of the study is to analyze treatments available for patients infected with genotype (G) 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Poland at the beginning of the interferon (IFN)-free era and evaluate the efficacy and safety of different therapeutic options administered in a real-world setting. We analyzed data of 198 patients who started antiviral therapy after July 1, 2015, and completed it before December 31, 2016; 57.6% of them had liver cirrhosis and 46% were treatment experienced.

Effectiveness and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir±ribavirin in the treatment of HCV infection: The real-world HARVEST study.

Background: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF)±ribavirin (RBV) regimen in a real-world setting.

Methods: Patients received a fixed-dose combination tablet containing LDV and SOF with or without RBV, for 8, 12 or 24 weeks. Patients were assessed at baseline, end of treatment, and 12 weeks after the end of treatment.

Hepatitis and the polyglandular autoimmune syndrome, type 1.

Autoimmune polyglandular syndrome, type 1 (APS-1) is a rare syndrome. Here we present a case report of a 24-year-old female patient who complained of progressive weakness. While autoimmune hepatitis was diagnosed, no improvement of biochemical parameters was obtained after immunosuppressive treatment.

Heart rhythm turbulence and NT-proBNP in decompensated liver cirrhosis--a pilot study.

Background: Heart rhythm turbulence (HRT) is a novel tool for evaluation of cardiovascular mortality. Liver cirrhosis is associated with hemodynamic and myocardial disturbances termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. In the stable stage of liver cirrhosis, systolic and myocardial dysfunction is correlated with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP).

Efficacy and safety of entecavir versus adefovir in chronic hepatitis B patients with hepatic decompensation: a randomized, open-label study.

A randomized, open-label comparative study of entecavir versus adefovir therapy was performed in subjects with chronic hepatitis B who had hepatic decompensation (Child-Turcotte-Pugh score ≥7). Adult subjects were randomized and treated (n = 191) with entecavir 1.0 mg or adefovir 10 mg daily for up to 96 weeks from the date of last subject randomization.

Rosiglitazone treatment in nondiabetic subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Introduction: Pharmacological treatment options for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are limited. It has been suggested that thiazolidinediones may be useful in NAFLD treatment.

Objectives: An open-label prospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of rosiglitazone treatment in nondiabetic subjects with NAFLD.

[Is healthcare personnel the only professional group exposed tothe risk of occupational HBV, HCV or HIV infections?].

Background: Our paper presents the problem of exposure to potentially infectious material among health care workers, and also in police officers, prison guards, cleaning service personnel and ordinary citizens.

Materials And Method: In the study period, 200 patients were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic after exposure to potentially infectious materials in order to evaluate the risk of HBV, HCV and HIV infections and initiate post exposure prophylaxis. HBsAg, a-HCV and a-HIV were carried out on the day of admission, a-HBs was measured in patients who had been vaccinated against hepatitis B virus.

[Cognitive disturbances observed in chronic hepatitis C patients during pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin therapy].

Unlabelled: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with peg-interferon alpha and ribavirin (peg-IFNalpha/RBV) complain of irritability, attention and memory disturbances which may indicate cognitive impairment associated with treatment.

Aim: Assessment of the probable connection between peg-IFNalpha/RBV treatment and the development of cognitive disturbances in CHC patients.

Method: 47 CHC patients were divided into two groups: experimental (n=26) and control (n=21).

[Attention abnormalities in patients with chronic hepatitis C after pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin treatment].

The Aim Of The Study: To (a) describe the influence of peg-IFNalpha 2a and 2b on attention processes and (b) to assess whether attention abnormalities induced by peg-IFNalpha/RBW resolve 8 weeks after treatment discontinuation in chronic hepatitis C patients.

Material And Methods: 26 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with peg-IFNalpha2a (n=18) or 2b (n=8) and RBV were enrolled in the study. Attention processes were tested three times: before the beginning (t=0), after 12 weeks of medication (t=1) and 8 weeks after treatment discontinuation (t=2).

[Depressive disorders and symptoms accompanying pegylated interferon alpha and ribavirin treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients].

Unlabelled: The aim of the study was to describe describe the frequency of depressive symptoms and episodes accompanying peg-interferon alpha and ribavirin (peg-IFN-alpha/RBV) treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients (CHC).

Material Methods: 47 CHC patients were enrolled in the study. They were divided into two groups: experimental and control consisting of 26 and 21 participants, respectively.

[Evaluation of bone mineral density in women with chronic liver diseases during perimenopausal period].

Unlabelled: Osteoporosis is the most frequently occurring metabolic diseases of bones, observed especially in women after menopause. The goal of the paper was a comparison of bone mineral density (BMD) of health women with that in perimenopausal patients with chronic liver diseases. The study was performed in 47 patients with chronic liver diseases, aged: 37-56 years.

[HBV genotypes among patients with chronic hepatitis B in the area of central Poland].

At present, eight (8) HBV genotypes have been identified, marked by letters from A to H. The distribution of particular genotypes , both in the world and in Poland, is the focus of particular epidemiological interest as well as its possible association with therapeutic efficacy of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) undergoing antiviral therapy. The goal of the study was HBV genotype determination among patients with CHB living in the area of central Poland.

[Hormonal activity of the hypophysial-gonadal axis versus the mineral bone density and specific markers of bone turnover in haemodialysis population].

Unlabelled: Among the numerous complications associated with chronic renal disease both bone and hormonal disturbances have long been recognized. The aim of this study was to assess the relations between bone mineral density, gonadal status and specific markers of bone turnover in haemodialysis (HD) population.

Material And Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study involving 40 HD patients: 27 men (mean age 54 +/- 14, 2 years) and 13 women (mean age 58.

[Cancer antigen 125 as a marker of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis].

Cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) is usually used to monitor the course of epithelial ovarian cancer. It has recently been reported that liver cirrhosis is associated with elevated serum CA-125, especially in the presence of ascites. The aim of the study was to evaluate CA-125 as a marker of ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis.

[Peginterferon alpha-2b in patients with chronic hepatitis C].

150 adult patients were assigned pegylated interferon alpha-2b (once weekly 1.5 microg/kg) plus ribavirin (800-1200 mg depending on bodyweight). The treatment lasted 52 weeks and was completed by 139 persons (92.