Comparative assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with HIV/chronic hepatitis C co-infection in different ethnic groups.

Nazgul Sarsekeyeva,Bakhyt Kosherova,Ilya Azizov

doi:10.3855/jidc.7433

Nazgul Sarsekeyeva, Bakhyt Kosherova + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.7433

Copy DOI

Abstract

In recent years, the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection has increased, which is due to their common routes of transmission. HIV/chronic HCV co-infection aggravates the development of fibrosis and increases the risk of cirrhosis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of liver elastometry in patients of different ethnic groups with HIV/chronic HCV co-infection. The study involved 49 Kazakh and 46 Russian patients with HIV/chronic HCV co-infection. The stage of liver fibrosis was assessed by the results of indirect ultrasonic liver elastometry according to the METAVIR scale using FibroScan 502. As an indirect marker of liver fibrosis, level of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as platelet counts, were determined. Analysis of the results with the evaluation of the dynamics of fibrotic process in 36 months revealed a prevalence of patients with advanced liver fibrosis (F3, F4) among Kazakh compared with Russian patients, accompanied by a significant increase of liver elasticity indices in Kazakhs and Russians (p < 0.05). Significant differences in the indices of transaminases in the patients with later stages of liver fibrosis (F3, F4) were found (p < 0.05). The study of patients with HIV/chronic HCV co-infection revealed differences in the progression of liver fibrosis depending on ethnicity. Results of elastometry and indirect markers of liver fibrosis were used in the comprehensive assessment at different stages of liver fibrosis.

Highlights

In recent years, the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection has increased, which is due to their common routes of transmission
Comparative analysis of liver elastometry according to the METAVIR scale showed that initially, stage F0 was not registered in Kazakhs and Russians, and the transition stage F0–F1 was diagnosed in 8.2% and 10.9% of cases, respectively
HIV/chronic HCV co-infection was observed more frequently in Kazakhs than in Russians (OR = 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.0–6.1)

Summary

Introduction

The frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection has increased, which is due to their common routes of transmission. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results of liver elastometry in patients of different ethnic groups with HIV/chronic HCV coinfection. Conclusions: The study of patients with HIV/chronic HCV co-infection revealed differences in the progression of liver fibrosis depending on ethnicity. The literature we have available reveals research findings focusing on the study of epidemiological and diagnostic criteria for viral hepatitis. It suggests ethnic characteristics in the course of the disease among patients of different races and nationalities. The studies point to ethnic differences in the progression rate of liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, as evidenced by a high incidence of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in particular areas of the world (Japan, China, Taiwan, South Africa).

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion