Reduction of the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma over Time Using Direct-Acting Antivirals: A Propensity Score Analysis of a Real-Life Cohort (PITER HCV).

The treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) leads to high sustained virological response (SVR) rates, but hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk persists in people with advanced liver disease even after SVR. We weighted the HCC risk in people with cirrhosis achieving HCV eradication through DAA treatment and compared it with untreated participants in the multicenter prospective Italian Platform for the Study of Viral Hepatitis Therapies (PITER) cohort. Propensity matching with inverse probability weighting was used to compare DAA-treated and untreated HCV-infected participants with liver cirrhosis.

Predicting de-novo portal vein thrombosis after HCV eradication: A long-term competing risk analysis in the ongoing PITER cohort.

Background & Aims: Sustained virological response (SVR) by direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) may reverse the hypercoagulable state of HCV cirrhosis and the portal vein thrombosis (PVT) risk. We evaluated the incidence and predictive factors of de novo, non-tumoral PVT in patients with cirrhosis after HCV eradication.

Methods: Patients with HCV-related cirrhosis, consecutively enrolled in the multi-center ongoing PITER cohort, who achieved the SVR using DAAs, were prospectively evaluated.

Pneumococcal vaccination status among cirrhotic patients in Italy: a neglected topic.

To date, few reports have evaluated the pneumococcal vaccination status in cirrhotic patients. No data are available for European countries. We have explored this topic and the potential independent predictors motivating lack of vaccination in Italy.

Risk of parenterally transmitted hepatitis following exposure to invasive procedures in Italy: SEIEVA surveillance 2000-2021.

Background & Aims: Surgical interventions and invasive diagnostic/therapeutic procedures are known routes of transmission of viral hepatitis. Using data from the Italian surveillance system for acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA), the aim of this study was to investigate the association between specific types of invasive procedures and the risk of acute HBV and HCV infections.

Methods: Data from SEIEVA (period 2000-2021) were used.

Profiling the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma after long-term HCV eradication in patients with liver cirrhosis in the PITER cohort.

Background And Aims: Severe liver disease markers assessed before HCV eradication are acknowledged to usually improve after the SVR. We prospectively evaluated, in the PITER cohort, the long-term HCC risk profile based on predictors monitored after HCV eradication by direct-acting antivirals in patients with cirrhosis.

Methods: HCC occurrence was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

COVID-19 vaccination among cirrhotics in Italy: High coverage and effectiveness of 3 doses versus 2 in preventing breakthrough infection and hospitalization.

Background And Aims: Few reports, all retrospective, have evaluated vaccine coverage against COVID-19 infection in cirrhotic subjects. No data are available for European Countries. We aimed to explore this topic and potential independent predictors of lack of vaccination.

Effectiveness of Hepatitis B Vaccination Campaign in Italy: Towards the Control of HBV Infection for the First Time in a European Country.

Background: In 1991, a mass immunization campaign against the hepatitis B virus (HBV) for children and teenagers was introduced in Italy. This study evaluated the impact of the immunization campaign on the incidence and modes of HBV transmission.

Method: Acute HBV cases of viral hepatitis were reported to the National Surveillance System (SEIEVA).

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991-2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign.

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA).

Differences in Incidence of Acute Viral Hepatitis between Foreigners and Autochthonous Population in Italy.

Background: In European countries, the prevalence of HBV and HCV in refugees and migrants tends to reflect the prevalence in their countries of origin. The aim of this study is to analyse acute viral hepatitis cases diagnosed in Italy among foreign citizens and to compare incidence rates in foreigners and Italians.

Methods: We analysed the cases of each viral hepatitis type among foreigners.

[An update on the epidemiology of hepatitis A in Italy 2015-2019. Data from the surveillance of acute viral hepatitis SEIEVA].

Background: hepatitis A is an infective disease whose global diffusion appears to be variable and strictly related to socioeconomic status, hygiene conditions, and access to potable water. During last twenty years, Italy registered a constant decrease of new cases with recurrent epidemic outbreaks.

Objectives: to outline the hepatitis A epidemiological situation in Italy in the five-year period 2015-2019.

Liver function following hepatitis C virus eradication by direct acting antivirals in patients with liver cirrhosis: data from the PITER cohort.

Background: The development of direct-acting antivirals (DAA) for HCV has revolutionized the treatment of HCV, including its treatment in patients with HIV coinfection. The aim of this study was to compare the changes in liver function between coinfected and monoinfected patients with cirrhosis who achieved HCV eradication by DAA.

Methods: Patients with pre-treatment diagnosis of HCV liver cirrhosis, consecutively enrolled in the multicenter PITER cohort, who achieved a sustained virological response 12 weeks after treatment cessation (SVR12) were analysed.

Clinical features and comorbidity pattern of HCV infected migrants compared to native patients in care in Italy: A real-life evaluation of the PITER cohort.

Background: Direct-acting antivirals are highly effective for the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, regardless race/ethnicity. We aimed to evaluate demographic, virological and clinical data of HCV-infected migrants vs. natives consecutively enrolled in the PITER cohort.

Health assessment for migrants and asylum seekers upon arrival and while hosted in reception centres: Italian guidelines.

Background: During 2016-17, national guidelines were developed in order to provide evidence-based recommendations on health assessments for migrants and asylum seekers upon their arrival in Italy.

Methods: Scientific literature published between 2005 and 2016 was searched in different databases. A free search was also performed on international organizations' websites in order to identify additional relevant documents.

Low influenza vaccination coverage in subjects with liver cirrhosis. An alert waiting for winter season 2020-2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have evaluated flu vaccine coverage and variables associated with the lack of vaccination in cirrhotic subjects with particular attention to the cirrhosis etiology. Cirrhotic subjects consecutively referring to eight Italian centers were prospectively enrolled for a 6-month period in 2019. Subjects were asked if they had received a flu vaccine in the last 12 months.

Hepatitis B vaccine coverage and risk factors for lack of vaccination in subjects with HBsAg negative liver cirrhosis in Italy: still, much work should be done.

Background: in Italy, Hepatitis-B-vaccine is advised and provided free-of-charge for subjects with chronic liver disease (CLD), including liver cirrhosis.

Aims: to evaluate HB-vaccine-coverage and variables associated with lack of vaccination in cirrhotic patients with particular attention to cirrhosis' etiology.

Methods: cirrhotic patients of any etiology (excluding HBsAg+) referring to 8 tertiary-centers were prospectively enrolled for a-six-months-period in 2019.

Chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Italy during the twenty-first century: an updated survey in 2019.

The aim of this study is to provide updates on the characteristics of chronic HBsAg carriers in Italy before the advent of new drugs eliminating or functionally inactivating the genome HBV reservoirs. HBV endemicity has greatly decreased in Italy over the past decades. A not negligible number of chronic HBsAg carriers are still alive in the country.

Migratory flow and hepatitis delta infection in Italy: A new challenge at the beginning of the third millennium.

In Italy, HDV infection endemicity has greatly decreased overtime. Migratory flow may change this scenario as migrants often come from high HDV endemicity areas. Here, we studied characteristics of HDV infection in Italy, particularly addressed to the birth area of subjects.

Advanced liver disease outcomes after hepatitis C eradication by human immunodeficiency virus infection in PITER cohort.

Background: Liver disease progression after Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) eradication following direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in the real-life setting according to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) coinfection was evaluated.

Methods: Patients consecutively enrolled in PITER between April 2014 and June 2019 and with at least 12-weeks follow-up following treatment were analysed. Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate HIV coinfection and factors independently associated with liver disease outcomes following viral eradication in DAA treated patients with pre-treatment liver cirrhosis.

Real-life use of elbasvir/grazoprevir in adults and elderly patients: a prospective evaluation of comedications used in the PITER cohort.

Background: In patients treated for HCV infection, potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) can occur among direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAAs) and comedications used. The real-life effectiveness and safety of elbasvir/grazoprevir (ELB/GZR) among co-medicated HCV patients was evaluated.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated consecutive patients from 15 clinical centres participating in PITER who were treated with ELB/GZR and had been followed for at least 12 weeks after treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging 3T and total fibrotic volume in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common renal hereditary disorder. Several authors have attempted to identify a kidney damage marker for predicting the prognosis and the effectiveness of therapy in ADPKD.

Aim: To identify and quantify ADPKD, through a novel magnetic resonance imaging protocol with 3 Tesla (MRI 3Tesla), the presence of parenchymal fibrotic tissue at early stage of disease, able to correlate the glomerular filtrate and to predict the loss of the renal function.

Association of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and cardiometabolic risk factors with early atherosclerosis in an adult population in Southern Italy.

Aim: The prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases was investigated in an adult population of the city of Cittanova, Southern Italy.

Methods: The study was conducted among 992 randomly selected adults aged 18-75 years, between April 2009 and January 2011.

Results: Prevalence rates of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), overweight, obesity, and metabolic syndrome (MS) were 24.

[Italian Cystic Fibrosis Register - Report 2010].

Unlabelled: The Italian National CF Registry (INCFR) is based on the official agreement between the clinicians of the Italian National Referral Centers for Cystic Fibrosis and the researchers of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (National Center for Rare Diseases; National Center for Epidemiology, Surveillance and Health Care Promotion). OBJECTIVES The main aim of INCFR is to contribute to the improvement in CF patients health care and clinical management through: i. the estimates of CF prevalence and incidence in Italy; ii.