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Comorbidities associated with the increasing burden of hepatitis C infection
Benjamin Basseri1, David Yamini, Grace Chee
1Hepatology Section, Division of Gastroenterology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is linked to higher risks of diabetes, obesity, HIV, and kidney disease. Patients with HCV also show increased rates of smoking, alcohol use, and depression, impacting quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology and Infectious Diseases
- Public Health Epidemiology
- Clinical Comorbidity Research
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a growing concern, contributing to increased liver transplantations, hospitalizations, and healthcare expenditures.
- Understanding the spectrum of comorbidities associated with HCV is crucial for effective patient management and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct an updated assessment of comorbidities in patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- To compare the prevalence of these comorbidities with the general United States population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional retrospective review of data from 800 patients with HCV, evaluated between January 1998 and November 2007.
- Patient data were prospectively collected via standardized questionnaires and compared with general US epidemiological data.
- Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to assess risk and prevalence.
Main Results:
- HCV infection significantly increased the risk of diabetes (44% higher) and obesity (25% higher) compared to the general population.
- Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was substantially higher in HCV patients (16-fold and 13-fold, respectively).
- HCV patients exhibited higher rates of alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, incarceration, tattoos, chronic fatigue, and depression, but a decreased risk of hyperlipidemia.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a significant healthcare burden due to its association with prevalent comorbidities like diabetes, obesity, HIV, and ESRD.
- Maladaptive lifestyle factors and diminished quality of life are common in HCV patients.
- Healthcare providers must recognize and manage these associated conditions to improve patient outcomes.
Background:
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is implicated in an increasing number of liver transplantations, hospitalizations and healthcare costs.
Aims:
We present an updated assessment of comorbidities associated with HCV in comparison to the general US population.
Methods:
Cross-sectional retrospective review of data from 800 patients with HCV evaluated between January 1998 and November 2007. Patient data were prospectively collected using a standardized questionnaire completed at the first encounter and was compared with general US epidemiological data. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported.
Results:
HCV conferred a 44% (CI 1.16-1.78) and 25% (CI 1.01-1.54) increased risk of diabetes (12.5 vs. 7.3-8.4%; P=0.001) and obesity (23.9 vs. 19.8-33.1%; P=0.041), respectively, compared with the US population. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (5.3 vs. 0.3%; P<0.001) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) (4.5 vs. 0.2%; P<0.001) were 16- and 13-fold more prevalent in HCV. Interestingly, HCV bestowed 90% decreased odds (CI 0.09-0.15) for hyperlipidaemia (12.3 vs. 53.2-56.1%; P<0.001). The HCV population had a higher prevalence of significant alcohol consumption (41.5 vs. 4.7%; P<0.001), current smoking (57.7 vs. 18.8-20.8%; P<0.001), drug use (46.8 vs. 14.6-15.6%; P<0.001), incarceration (6.6 vs. 2.7%; P<0.001) and tattoos (20.3 vs. 14%; P=0.011), as well as chronic fatigue (44.6 vs. 11.3-19%; P<0.001) and depression (29.3 vs. 5.0-10.3%; P<0.001).
Conclusion:
HCV poses an increasing healthcare burden associated with increased prevalence of diabetes, obesity, HIV, ESRD, maladaptive lifestyle habits and poor quality of life. Practitioners should be cognizant of these trends in order to appropriately manage these comorbidities.
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