Ekaterina A Nabatchikova1, Dzhamal T Abdurakhmanov2, Teona P Rozina3, Elena N Nikulkina2, Elena L Tanaschuk2, Sergey V Moiseev3. 1. The Department of Internal, Occupational Diseases and Rheumatology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya st., Moscow, 119991, Russia. Electronic address: e.nabat4ikova@gmail.com. 2. The Department of Internal, Occupational Diseases and Rheumatology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya st., Moscow, 119991, Russia. 3. The Department of Internal, Occupational Diseases and Rheumatology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 8-2 Trubetskaya st., Moscow, 119991, Russia; The Department of Internal Diseases, Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, 27-1 Lomonosov prospect, Moscow, 119192, Russia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous short-term studies have reported on liver function improvements and delisting among liver transplantation (LT) candidates with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and decompensated liver cirrhosis after successful antiviral therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of HCV eradication on liver function, portal hypertension, probability of delisting, and clinical outcomes in patients awaiting LT. METHODS: Forty-five LT candidates with decompensated HCV cirrhosis were prospectively observed after HCV eradication by direct-acting antiviral therapy. The median follow-up (FU) time was 24 months. RESULTS: Twenty-six (57.8%) patients were delisted due to clinical improvement. Multivariate analysis revealed male gender (hazard ratio (HR) 3.28; p = 0.022), baseline Child - Turcotte - Pugh class C (HR 4.81; p = 0.003), and delta prothrombin index <2% between baseline and the time of sustained virological response (HR 3.82; p = 0.01) as independent risk factors for non-delisting. During a median FU of 21 months after delisting, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in 2 (7.7%) patients. Among non-delisted patients, HCC developed in 6 (31.6%) cases, variceal bleeding developed in 3 (15.8%) patients, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis developed in 2 (10.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: HCV eradication lead to the delisting of more than 50% of patients, but did not eliminate the HCC risk, and close monitoring of patients should continue after the end of treatment.
BACKGROUND: Previous short-term studies have reported on liver function improvements and delisting among liver transplantation (LT) candidates with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and decompensated liver cirrhosis after successful antiviral therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of HCV eradication on liver function, portal hypertension, probability of delisting, and clinical outcomes in patients awaiting LT. METHODS: Forty-five LT candidates with decompensated HCV cirrhosis were prospectively observed after HCV eradication by direct-acting antiviral therapy. The median follow-up (FU) time was 24 months. RESULTS: Twenty-six (57.8%) patients were delisted due to clinical improvement. Multivariate analysis revealed male gender (hazard ratio (HR) 3.28; p = 0.022), baseline Child - Turcotte - Pugh class C (HR 4.81; p = 0.003), and delta prothrombin index <2% between baseline and the time of sustained virological response (HR 3.82; p = 0.01) as independent risk factors for non-delisting. During a median FU of 21 months after delisting, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed in 2 (7.7%) patients. Among non-delisted patients, HCC developed in 6 (31.6%) cases, variceal bleeding developed in 3 (15.8%) patients, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis developed in 2 (10.5%) patients. CONCLUSION: HCV eradication lead to the delisting of more than 50% of patients, but did not eliminate the HCC risk, and close monitoring of patients should continue after the end of treatment.