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Improved Hepascore in hepatitis C predicts reversal in risk of adverse outcome

Angus W Jeffrey1, Yi Huang1, W Bastiaan de Boer1

  • 1Angus W Jeffrey, School of Medicine, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia.

World Journal of Hepatology
|July 26, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Serial Hepascore tests in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients can predict liver complications. An improving Hepascore indicates a decreased risk of liver-related mortality and morbidity, especially when tests are at least one year apart.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Biomarker Research

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) poses significant risks for liver-related complications.
  • Accurate prediction of these complications is crucial for patient management.
  • The Hepascore is a validated serum test for assessing liver fibrosis and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if serial Hepascore tests correlate with changes in liver complication risk in CHC patients.
  • To investigate the predictive value of delta Hepascore for liver-related adverse events.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 346 CHC patients with two Hepascore tests was analyzed.
  • Follow-up data over 1944 patient-years identified 28 (8.1%) composite endpoints.
  • Endpoints included hepatocellular carcinoma, liver death, and decompensation.

Main Results:

  • A baseline Hepascore > 0.75 significantly increased the risk of composite endpoints (P < 0.001).
  • An improving Hepascore in patients with an initial score > 0.75 significantly decreased this risk (P = 0.004).
  • No adverse outcomes were observed in patients with stable or improving delta Hepascore; a minimum one-year interval was significant (P = 0.03).

Conclusions:

  • Hepascore accurately predicts liver-related mortality and morbidity in CHC patients.
  • An improving delta Hepascore is associated with reduced risk of mortality and morbidity.
  • Repeat Hepascore testing, at yearly intervals, can aid in predicting outcomes and guiding clinical management.
Abstract

Keywords:
ChronicDirect acting antiviralsHepatitis CPrognosisSerum

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