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The association between chronic hepatitis C infection and cardiovascular risk

P Pateria1, G P Jeffrey1,2, G MacQuillan1,2

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

Internal Medicine Journal
|October 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients do not show increased subclinical vascular disease compared to controls. However, genotype 1 infection is linked to worse endothelial dysfunction and carotid intima-media thickness.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hepatology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Vascular disease is a significant cause of mortality in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.
  • The relationship between CHC infection and atherosclerosis remains incompletely understood.
  • This study investigates subclinical vascular disease in CHC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess subclinical vascular disease in CHC patients compared to healthy controls.
  • To determine if hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype influences vascular disease risk.
  • To evaluate the impact of antiviral treatment on vascular parameters in CHC patients.

Main Methods:

  • Compared 50 CHC patients and 22 controls using clinical, biochemical, and vascular assessments.
  • Measured arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity), endothelial function (flow-mediated dilatation), and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).
  • Reassessed vascular parameters in a subset of CHC patients after 18 months of antiviral therapy.

Main Results:

  • No significant differences in baseline vascular risk factors or measures between CHC patients and controls.
  • CHC patients with genotype 1 infection exhibited greater endothelial dysfunction and increased CIMT compared to non-genotype 1.
  • Sustained virological response in treated CHC patients correlated with improved insulin resistance and arterial stiffness.

Conclusions:

  • Subclinical vascular disease is not elevated in CHC patients overall compared to controls.
  • Hepatitis C virus genotype 1 is associated with increased endothelial dysfunction and CIMT.
  • Successful antiviral treatment leading to viral eradication may improve insulin resistance and arterial stiffness in CHC patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
atherosclerosiscarotid intima-media thicknesschronic hepatitis Cinsulin resistancepulse wave velocity

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