Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Infection on the in-Hospital Mortality of Patients with Alcoholic Hepatitis

Abstract

Background and Aim: There is limited data on the impact of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on alcoholic hepatitis (AH). The present study was performed to assess the effect of HCV on inhospital mortality of AH. Methods: Using Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1998-2007), AH admissions were stratified based on the presence or absence of HCV. Results: Of 111,726 AH admissions, 7,240 (6.5%) were HCV +ve. These patients were different from HCV -ve subjects in age, race, Charlston Comorbidity index, pay source, hospital characteristics, complications, and interventions needed. In-hospital mortality from AH was higher in presence of HCV (3.8% vs. 3.1%; P=0.001). On multivariate logistic regression, HCV infection independently predicted in-hospital mortality of AH after controlling for other variables including calendar year [OR 1.29 (CI: 1.12-1.49; P=0.0005)]. Other strong predictors were hepatic encephalopathy and renal failure. Conclusion: Concomitant HCV infection is an important risk factor for in-hospital mortality in AH. Further studies with longer follow up are needed to assess the impact of HCV on AH patients at 6 months and at one year.