Abstract
BackgroundAcute kidney injury (AKI) is expected to occur commonly in patients with chronic hepatitis C. In addition, AKI may affect the survival of patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, few studies are available on this topic. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of AKI in patients with chronic hepatitis C and investigate the factors related to overall mortality.MethodsBetween January 2005 and December 2018, 1252 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, defined as persistent HCV RNA for at least 6 months, were retrospectively enrolled at two centers. Of them, 1008, 123, and 121 patients had chronic hepatitis (CH), compensated cirrhosis (Com-LC), and decompensated cirrhosis (Decom-LC) or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) at entry, respectively. Factors associated with AKI and overall mortality were evaluated using the Cox proportional regression model. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves for the development of AKI and overall mortality were generated.ResultsOver a mean follow-up period of 5.2 years, 285 patients developed AKI, with an incidence rate of 4.35 per 100 person-years. The incidence of AKI increased gradually with progression of chronic hepatitis C: CH (3.32 per 100 person-years), Com-LC (5.86 per 100 person-years), and Decom-LC or HCC (17.28 per 100 person-years). The patients without AKI showed better survival rates at 14 years than the patients with AKI (94.2% vs. 26.3%, P < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, AKI (hazard ratio, 6.66; 95% confidence interval, 4.26–10.41) remained an independent risk factor for overall mortality.ConclusionAKI is common in patients with chronic HCV infection and is associated with significant overall mortality. Therefore, clinicians should carefully monitor the occurrence of AKI, which is an important predictor of mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C.
Highlights
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is expected to occur commonly in patients with chronic hepatitis C
According to previous studies reported in patients with cirrhosis, AKI may have a significant effect on mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C
The risk of AKI incidence gradually increased as chronic hepatitis progressed to advanced liver disease
Summary
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is expected to occur commonly in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of AKI in patients with chronic hepatitis C and investigate the factors related to overall mortality. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent and life-threatening complication in patients with cirrhosis associated with significant mortality [3, 5,6,7]. According to previous studies reported in patients with cirrhosis, AKI may have a significant effect on mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C. A study focused on AKI in patients with chronic hepatitis C reported a prevalence of 13.5% (64/468) [12]. Data evaluating the incidence of AKI according to disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C are limited. Further research is warranted to determine whether AKI is an important factor in mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis C
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
