Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026
12:24
A Three-Dimensional Spheroid Model to Investigate the Tumor-Stromal Interaction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Published on: September 30, 2021
Disease progression and the risk factor analysis for chronic hepatitis C
Dong Hyun Sinn1, Seung Woon Paik, Pung Kang
1Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Summary
Advanced cirrhotic complications in chronic hepatitis C patients are often caused by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Risk factors like APRI and platelet levels require monitoring, especially with antiviral therapy.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Viral Hepatitis Research
- Oncology
Background:
- Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) poses a risk for advanced cirrhotic complications.
- Identifying complications and risk factors is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of advanced cirrhotic complications in chronic hepatitis C patients.
- To identify risk factors associated with disease progression in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1137 chronic hepatitis C patients' data.
- Analysis of disease progression defined by Child-Pugh score, bleeding, peritonitis, encephalopathy, death, or HCC development.
- Evaluation of risk factors, including antiviral therapy, age, sex, diabetes, platelet count, and APRI.
Main Results:
- The annual incidence of disease progression was 0.8% with antiviral therapy and 3.7% without.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was the most frequent cause of progression.
- Independent risk factors included treatment response, platelet levels, and APRI (with therapy); older age, male sex, diabetes, platelet levels, and APRI (without therapy).
- APRI was the strongest predictor of disease progression.
Conclusions:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the primary driver of advanced cirrhotic complications in chronic hepatitis C.
- Risk stratification using factors like APRI and platelet count is essential for monitoring.
- Close surveillance for HCC and optimization of antiviral therapy are recommended for high-risk patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Hepatitis
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...
01:24Cirrhosis 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...
01:22Effect 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...
01:26Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow
Chronic liver disease significantly impacts drug metabolism due to alterations in hepatic blood flow and enzyme accessibility. This disruption affects the body's pharmacokinetics—the movement and processing of drugs within the system. Key enzymes crucial for metabolizing medications become less accessible, changing how drugs are processed and utilized. Furthermore, liver disease influences the synthesis of plasma proteins, such as albumin and globulins, which play critical roles in drug binding...
01:21Chronic 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...
01:23Cirrhosis 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...