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Hepatitis C virus in elderly patients with chronic liver diseases

M Russello1, R Benigno, M Zammataro

  • 1Division of Internal Medicine, Catania University, Ospedale Garibaldi, Piazza S. Maria di Gesir, I-95100 Catania, Italy.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
|January 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) in elderly patients. Co-infection with alcoholism increases liver damage severity, necessitating long-term monitoring for HCV-induced CLD.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Virology
  • Geriatric Medicine

Background:

  • Chronic liver diseases (CLD) pose a significant health burden, particularly in aging populations.
  • Understanding the etiological agents and their prevalence in elderly patients is crucial for effective management.
  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of chronic liver disease globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in elderly patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD).
  • To compare the prevalence and characteristics of HCV with hepatitis B and D virus (HBV and HDV) infections in this demographic.
  • To assess the impact of co-existing alcoholism on the severity and progression of HCV-induced liver disease.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 141 consecutive patients over 50 years of age with CLD was recruited between January 1993 and July 1994.
  • Prevalence of HCV, HBV, and HDV infections was determined using serological tests.
  • Patient demographics, including age and history of alcoholism, were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

  • HCV was the predominant cause of CLD, with an overall prevalence of 50.3% (71/141).
  • The prevalence of HCV increased to 70.1% when considered with alcoholism.
  • Hepatitis B and D virus (HBV/HDV) infections were less common (17%, 24/141).
  • HCV patients were significantly older than HBV/HDV patients (p < 0.001), suggesting slower HCV evolution.
  • HCV associated with alcoholism showed increased liver damage severity, indicated by a younger mean age in this subgroup.
  • HCV-induced liver cirrhosis progressed to carcinoma in 9.8% (5/51) of cases, linked to disease duration.

Conclusions:

  • HCV is the most frequent cause of CLD in elderly patients in the studied region.
  • Elderly patients with HCV-induced CLD require long-term monitoring due to the risk of progression to liver carcinoma.
  • Alcoholism exacerbates liver damage in HCV patients, highlighting the need for comprehensive management strategies.

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