Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 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

Mortality among patients with cleared hepatitis C virus infection compared to the general population: a Danish

Lars Haukali Omland1, Peer Brehm Christensen, Henrik Krarup

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. omland@dadlnet.dk

Plos One
|July 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Mortality in patients who cleared Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is comparable to the general population if they are over 40 and have no substance abuse or comorbidities. Younger patients or those with substance abuse/comorbidities face higher mortality risks.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Increased mortality in individuals with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is linked to liver damage and risk-taking behaviors.
  • This study investigates mortality rates in patients who have cleared HCV infection, comparing them to the general population.
  • Prognosis was analyzed based on age, substance abuse (alcohol, injection drug use), and comorbidities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare mortality in patients who cleared HCV infection with the general population.
  • To assess the impact of age, substance abuse, and comorbidities on the prognosis of patients with cleared HCV infection.

Main Methods:

  • Categorized patients cleared of HCV into 8 groups based on age (20-39 or 40-69) and health status (substance abuse/comorbidity).
  • Matched each patient with 4 individuals from the general population without substance abuse or comorbidity.
  • Utilized stratified Cox Regression analysis to calculate mortality rate ratios (MRRs) and analyze 10-year survival, adjusting for income.

Main Results:

  • Patients aged 40-69 without substance abuse or comorbidity had similar mortality to the general population (10-year survival: 95%).
  • Patients aged 20-39 without substance abuse or comorbidity showed higher mortality (10-year survival: 93% vs. 99% in general population).
  • Substance abuse and comorbidities significantly decreased survival and increased MRRs in both age groups, with the highest MRR (12.5) in older patients with both conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Cleared HCV infection in patients aged 40-69 is not associated with increased mortality compared to the general population, provided they have no substance abuse or comorbidities.
  • Increased mortality in younger patients (20-39) without documented substance abuse or comorbidity may be attributed to unrecorded substance abuse or comorbidities.
  • These findings highlight the importance of addressing substance abuse and comorbidities for improved outcomes in HCV patients.
Abstract

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...
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...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing and Hepatic Blood Flow01:26

Effect 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...
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...
Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding01:09

Hepatic Drug Clearance: Effect of Protein Binding

Hepatic clearance is influenced by protein binding based on the drug's extraction ratio. Drugs with high extraction ratios are considered flow-limited and remain unaffected by protein binding during hepatic clearance. On the other hand, drugs with low extraction ratios may be impacted by plasma protein binding, although the extent of this influence depends on the fraction of the drug bound.
For low-extraction-ratio drugs that are less than 80% protein-bound, minor changes in protein binding...
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients01:15

Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients

Bioavailability studies are essential for evaluating a drug's therapeutic efficacy and understanding its absorption patterns under various physiological conditions. Conducting such studies on target patient populations provides more relevant data by simulating real-world disease states. However, practical challenges often necessitate the use of young, healthy adult volunteers as study subjects.Patients may exhibit altered drug absorption patterns due to the effects of the disease itself,...