[Evolutive aspects of post-transfusion hepatitis C. Review of 175 cases]

Hepatitis C virus is the main agent responsible for post-transfusion hepatitis. Progression to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is very common. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, timing and factors related to progression of hepatitis C. One hundred seventy five patients with chronic post-transfusion hepatitis C were grouped in a cirrhosis group (n = 92) and a non-cirrhosis group (n = 83). The medium time of development to cirrhosis was 11 +/- 6 years. Patients with cirrhosis were older at the time they received transfusion, used more alcohol and had longer times of evolution. The prognosis was worse in the cirrhosis group with a mortality rate of 28.4% and 9.1% of evolution towards hepatocellular carcinoma, comparing with 5.5% and 0% in the non-cirrhosis group respectively. It is shown that post-transfusion hepatitis C is slowly developing progressive disease which progress is much more rapidly in elderly patients and patients with others factors of liver damage.