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Increased fibrosis progression rates in hepatitis C patients carrying the prothrombin G20210A mutation

Nitsan Maharshak1, Philippe Halfon, Varda Deutsch

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Liver diseases, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated to the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 64239 Tel Aviv, Israel. nitsan_maharshak@walla.com

World Journal of Gastroenterology
|December 17, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with the prothrombin 20210 (PT20210) mutation show faster liver fibrosis progression. Other mutations like MTHFR or Factor V Leiden did not impact fibrosis rates in this study.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Genetics
  • Virology

Background:

  • Liver fibrosis is a significant complication in chronic Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
  • Hypercoagulable mutations are genetic predispositions that increase blood clot formation.
  • Understanding genetic factors influencing fibrosis progression is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between common hypercoagulable mutations and the rate of liver fibrosis in HCV-infected patients.
  • To determine if specific genetic mutations accelerate liver damage in the context of HCV infection.

Main Methods:

  • DNA analysis of 168 HCV patients for prothrombin 20210 (PT20210), factor V Leiden (FV Leiden), and MTHFR mutations.
  • Statistical analysis correlating mutation carriage with liver fibrosis rates, using liver biopsy data.
  • Correlation with epidemiological, clinical, and biochemical data.

Main Results:

  • Fifty-two patients were classified as "fast fibrosers" and 116 as "slow fibrosers".
  • The PT20210 mutation was present in 13% of fast fibrosers versus 5.5% of slow fibrosers (OR 4.76, P=0.033).
  • No significant association was found between MTHFR or FV Leiden mutations and accelerated liver fibrosis.

Conclusions:

  • Carriage of the PT20210 mutation is significantly associated with an increased rate of liver fibrosis in HCV patients.
  • PT20210 mutation may serve as a predictive marker for rapid fibrosis progression in HCV.
  • MTHFR and FV Leiden mutations do not appear to influence liver fibrosis rates in this HCV cohort.
Abstract

Keywords:
Hepatitis C virusHypercoagulationLiver fibrosisProthrombin 20210

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