Abstract
BackgroundHeavy alcohol use is associated with life-threatening complications including progressive liver disease. We aimed to analyze the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on survival and liver-related death in alcohol-dependent patients.Patients and methodsThis is a longitudinal study in patients seeking treatment of alcohol abuse between 2000 and 2010. Information on alcohol use characteristics, alcoholic liver disease, and HCV infection were obtained at entry. Cumulated mortality and causes of death were ascertained through clinical records and death registry.ResultsA total of 819 patients (81.6% men) underwent ethanol detoxification; age was 44 (inter-quartile range [IQR] 38–51) years; the duration of heavy alcohol use was 14 (IQR 6–24) years; and the alcohol consumption was 190 (IQR 120–250) g/day. The prevalence of HCV infection was 15.8%. There were 129 (16.9%) deaths during 5,117 persons-year (p-y) of follow-up (median follow-up 6.4 [IQR 4.3–9.2] years); 31 (24.6%) deaths were observed among the HCV-positive patients, and 98 (15.4%) deaths were observed among the HCV-negative patients. The mortality rate was significantly (P=0.03) higher among the HCV-positive patients (3.84×100 p-y; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.70, 5.46) than among the HCV-negative patients (2.27×100 p-y; 95% CI: 1.86, 2.77). Survival times for the HCV infected patients were 34% shorter (time ratio relative to HCV negative: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.51, 0.86). The main causes of death in the HCV-positive and -negative patients were liver-related mortality (48.4%) and neoplasia (22.4%), respectively. The liver-related mortality was significantly higher among the HCV-positive patients (adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [asHR] 3.65; 95% CI: 1.72, 7.78; P=0.001).ConclusionHCV infection compromises the survival of patients with alcohol abuse/dependence. The new direct antiviral agents for the treatment of HCV infection may result in better clinical outcomes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
