Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 19, 2026

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
12:24

A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Published on: September 30, 2021

Factors associated with the development of cirrhosis in patients with HCV chronic infection

Mario Dinis-Ribeiro1, Fernando Ramalho, Helena Glória

  • 1Liver Unit, Department of Medicina II, University Hospital of Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.

Hepato-Gastroenterology
|March 24, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Older age at hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, shorter time to diagnosis, and prior hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are key predictors for developing hepatic cirrhosis (HC). These factors identify patients at higher risk for HCV progression.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • The natural history of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection requires further elucidation, particularly regarding progression to hepatic cirrhosis (HC).
  • Identifying predictive factors for HC progression in HCV-infected patients is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define predictive factors for the progression to hepatic cirrhosis (HC) in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 129 patients who underwent liver biopsy.
  • Histological evaluation determined the presence of hepatic cirrhosis (HC) in 36% of patients.

Main Results:

  • Multivariate analysis identified age at infection, time of infection, and previous hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection as independent predictors of HC.
  • Patients older than 40 at infection (OR=4.5), with <5 years from infection (OR=4.2), or with prior HBV infection (OR=2.51) showed increased risk for HC.
  • HCV infection routes varied, with sporadic and post-transfusion origins noted in HC patients, while IV drug use was associated with non-HC patients.

Conclusions:

  • Older age at HCV infection, a shorter interval between infection and diagnosis, and evidence of prior HBV infection are associated with a higher risk of progressing to hepatic cirrhosis.
  • These findings highlight specific patient groups requiring closer monitoring for HCV-related liver disease progression.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis10:23

Lipid Droplet Isolation for Quantitative Mass Spectrometry Analysis

Published on: April 17, 2017

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
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...
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...
Portal Hypertension01:22

Portal Hypertension

Portal hypertension is an increase in blood pressure within the portal venous system. Normally, this pressure is less than 5 mmHg. It is considered clinically significant when it rises above 10 mmHg. At this threshold, complications from altered blood flow and venous congestion emerge.EtiologyPortal hypertension arises from conditions that impede blood flow through the liver. The most common cause is cirrhosis, in which chronic liver injury leads to fibrotic scarring. This fibrosis narrows or...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...