Prevalence of liver disease in asymptomatic persons with hepatitis C virus

[Guest guest]

Prevalence of liver disease in asymptomatic persons with hepatitis C virus

infection

Hepatitis C is histologically active and progressive in up to 40% of

asymptomatic persons with HCV infection, find researchers in the latest

issue of the ls of Internal Medicine.

The prevalence of significant liver disease in people with asymptomatic

hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear.

In this study, researchers from Padova, Italy, determined the prevalence

and severity of HCV infection in asymptomatic individuals.

The research team performed a population-based cross-sectional study.

Prevalence of HCV infection increased with age.

They assessed 4820 subjects who were undergoing screening for

cardiovascular risk factors.

The team performed initial screening for anti-HCV by enzyme-linked

immunosorbent assay.

This was followed by HCV RNA testing by polymerase chain reaction, and

monitoring of alanine aminotransferase levels in viremic persons.

In addition, 92% of viremic subjects had liver biopsies to assess their

METAVIR scores.

The research team found that 116 subjects were positive for anti-HCV, 85 of

these were also viremic.

ALT levels were normal in 46% of viremic patients, but elevated in 54%.

The team detected significant hepatic histologic abnormalities in 19% of

patients with persistently normal ALT levels, and in 61% with elevated ALT

levels.

Furthermore, they found that the prevalence of HCV infection, and number of

subjects with chronic liver fibrosis increased with age.

Dr Alfredo Alberti's team concluded, " Hepatitis C is histologically active

and progressive in up to 40% of asymptomatic persons with HCV infection " .

" The severity of liver disease correlates with abnormal ALT levels and

increases with age " .

Ann Intern Med 2002; 137: 961-4

18 December 2002

[Guest guest]

Prevalence of liver disease in asymptomatic persons with hepatitis C virus

infection

Hepatitis C is histologically active and progressive in up to 40% of

asymptomatic persons with HCV infection, find researchers in the latest

issue of the ls of Internal Medicine.

The prevalence of significant liver disease in people with asymptomatic

hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is unclear.

In this study, researchers from Padova, Italy, determined the prevalence

and severity of HCV infection in asymptomatic individuals.

The research team performed a population-based cross-sectional study.

Prevalence of HCV infection increased with age.

They assessed 4820 subjects who were undergoing screening for

cardiovascular risk factors.

The team performed initial screening for anti-HCV by enzyme-linked

immunosorbent assay.

This was followed by HCV RNA testing by polymerase chain reaction, and

monitoring of alanine aminotransferase levels in viremic persons.

In addition, 92% of viremic subjects had liver biopsies to assess their

METAVIR scores.

The research team found that 116 subjects were positive for anti-HCV, 85 of

these were also viremic.

ALT levels were normal in 46% of viremic patients, but elevated in 54%.

The team detected significant hepatic histologic abnormalities in 19% of

patients with persistently normal ALT levels, and in 61% with elevated ALT

levels.

Furthermore, they found that the prevalence of HCV infection, and number of

subjects with chronic liver fibrosis increased with age.

Dr Alfredo Alberti's team concluded, " Hepatitis C is histologically active

and progressive in up to 40% of asymptomatic persons with HCV infection " .

" The severity of liver disease correlates with abnormal ALT levels and

increases with age " .

Ann Intern Med 2002; 137: 961-4

18 December 2002