Natural history of decompensated hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis. A study of 200 patients

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 24, 2026

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks
10:28

A Cell Culture Model for Producing High Titer Hepatitis E Virus Stocks

Published on: June 26, 2020

Ramon Planas1, Belén Ballesté, Marco Antonio Alvarez

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain. rplanas@ns.hugtip.scs.es

Journal of Hepatology
|April 20, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Patients with decompensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis face frequent hospital readmissions and new complications. Survival rates are significantly impacted by factors like ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Viral Hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis Research

Background:

  • Limited data exist on the long-term clinical trajectory of decompensated hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis.
  • Understanding this course is crucial for patient management and prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define the natural long-term course and survival probabilities in patients following their first episode of hepatic decompensation due to HCV-related cirrhosis.
  • To identify factors influencing survival in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 200 consecutive patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and no prior hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis was studied.
  • Patients were hospitalized for their first hepatic decompensation event.
  • Follow-up duration was 34+/-2 months, monitoring for readmissions, HCC development, death, and new decompensation events.

Main Results:

  • Ascites was the most common initial decompensation (48%), followed by portal hypertensive gastrointestinal bleeding (32.5%), bacterial infection (14.5%), and hepatic encephalopathy (5%).
  • During follow-up, 16.5% developed HCC, and 42.5% died. Overall survival was 81.8% at 1 year and 50.8% at 5 years.
  • Hepatic encephalopathy/ascites as initial decompensation, higher Child-Pugh scores, older age, and multiple decompensations independently predicted poorer survival.

Conclusions:

  • Decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis is characterized by a high rate of readmissions and the development of new, distinct decompensation events.
  • The study provides critical insights into the natural history and prognostic factors for patients with decompensated HCV-related cirrhosis.
Abstract

More Related Videos

"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection10:25

"Liver-on-a-Chip" Cultures of Primary Hepatocytes and Kupffer Cells for Hepatitis B Virus Infection

Published on: February 19, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Hepatitis01:25

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver most commonly caused by hepatotropic viruses (A–E), though non-infectious causes such as alcohol and drugs also exist.Hepatitis AHepatitis A virus (HAV) is a non-enveloped RNA virus of the Picornaviridae family. It is primarily transmitted via the fecal-oral route, typically through ingestion of contaminated food or water. After ingestion, HAV enters the bloodstream through the oropharynx or intestinal epithelium and reaches the liver. The...
Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology01:24

Cirrhosis II: Pathophysiology

Cirrhosis is a progressive chronic liver injury caused by prolonged inflammation, excessive fibrotic remodeling, and impaired regeneration. Over time, repeated hepatic insults disrupt the liver’s architecture and function, leading to reduced blood flow, impaired bile drainage, and diminished metabolic capacity.Pathophysiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis arises from three main responses to chronic liver damage: inflammation, immune activation, and hepatocyte death. These processes lead to structural...
Cirrhosis I: Introduction01:23

Cirrhosis I: Introduction

Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction01:28

Viral Hepatitis I: Introduction

Viral hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver caused by infection with hepatotropic viruses, most commonly hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Despite variations in structure and transmission, all viruses mentioned infect hepatocytes and provoke immune responses that can hinder liver function. Additionally, some non-hepatotropic viruses can also lead to hepatic inflammation.Hepatitis A VirusHepatitis A virus (HAV) is transmitted through the fecal–oral route, typically by ingestion of food...
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology01:21

Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology

Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive and irreversible inflammation of the pancreas, most often caused by long-term alcohol abuse, but it can also be related to ductal obstruction, smoking, or genetic factors.Chronic pancreatitis occurs when the pancreas is repeatedly exposed to harmful agents like alcohol, smoking, ductal obstruction, or genetic predisposition. These factors lead to the release of toxic metabolites and inflammatory cytokines, sustaining chronic inflammation in the pancreatic...
Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder01:26

Diseases of the Liver and Gallbladder

Liver and gallbladder diseases are a significant health concern, with prominent conditions including cirrhosis, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and gallstones. Jaundice is a common manifestation of liver and biliary disease.
Cirrhosis is characterized by the scarring of hepatic lobules in the liver, which are replaced by fibrous tissue, affecting the liver's normal functioning. NAFLD, on the other hand, is caused by an excessive build-up of fat in the liver, not related to...