Hepatitis C increased risks for cerebrovascular-related death

[Guest guest]

http://www.infectiousdiseasenews.com/article/77135.aspx

Posted October 29, 2010

Hepatitis C increased risks for cerebrovascular-related death

Lee M. Stroke. 2010;doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.598136.

Hepatitis C virus infection was an independent risk predictor of cerebrovascular

deaths, indicating a biological gradient of cerebrovascular mortality with

increasing serum hepatitis C virus RNA levels, researchers said.

The study included residents (n=23,665, aged 30 to 65 years) from a

community-based prospective cohort who were enrolled from 1991 to 1992.

Residents answered structured questionnaires and provided blood samples for

various serological and biochemical tests at study entry. Researchers tested

serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA level and HCV genotype for participants

seropositive for antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV).

During the 382,011 person-years of follow-up, researchers reported 255

cerebrovascular deaths, which translated into a cumulative risk for

cerebrovascular deaths of 1% for seronegatives and 2.7% for seropositives of

anti-HCV (P<.001). The corresponding multivariate-adjusted HR for

cerebrovascular death was 2.18 (95% CI, 1.50-3.16) for anti-HCV seropositives.

In additional analysis, compared with patients seronegative for anti-HCV, the

multivariate-adjusted HR for anti-HCV-seropositive participants with

undetectable serum levels of HCV RNA was 1.40 (95% CI, 0.62-3.16), 2.36 (95% CI,

1.42-3.93) for low serum levels and 2.82 (95% CI, 1.25-6.37) for high serum

levels (P<.001 for trend).

“HCV infection is associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular

mortality, particularly for those with elevated serum HCV RNA levels,” the

researchers concluded. “If future additional studies confirm the role of HCV

infection and the development of cerebrovascular disease, it may be possible to

prevent cerebrovascular disease by using specific antiviral strategies.”

[Guest guest]

http://www.infectiousdiseasenews.com/article/77135.aspx

Posted October 29, 2010

Hepatitis C increased risks for cerebrovascular-related death

Lee M. Stroke. 2010;doi:10.1161/STROKEAHA.110.598136.

Hepatitis C virus infection was an independent risk predictor of cerebrovascular

deaths, indicating a biological gradient of cerebrovascular mortality with

increasing serum hepatitis C virus RNA levels, researchers said.

The study included residents (n=23,665, aged 30 to 65 years) from a

community-based prospective cohort who were enrolled from 1991 to 1992.

Residents answered structured questionnaires and provided blood samples for

various serological and biochemical tests at study entry. Researchers tested

serum hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA level and HCV genotype for participants

seropositive for antibodies against HCV (anti-HCV).

During the 382,011 person-years of follow-up, researchers reported 255

cerebrovascular deaths, which translated into a cumulative risk for

cerebrovascular deaths of 1% for seronegatives and 2.7% for seropositives of

anti-HCV (P<.001). The corresponding multivariate-adjusted HR for

cerebrovascular death was 2.18 (95% CI, 1.50-3.16) for anti-HCV seropositives.

In additional analysis, compared with patients seronegative for anti-HCV, the

multivariate-adjusted HR for anti-HCV-seropositive participants with

undetectable serum levels of HCV RNA was 1.40 (95% CI, 0.62-3.16), 2.36 (95% CI,

1.42-3.93) for low serum levels and 2.82 (95% CI, 1.25-6.37) for high serum

levels (P<.001 for trend).

“HCV infection is associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular

mortality, particularly for those with elevated serum HCV RNA levels,” the

researchers concluded. “If future additional studies confirm the role of HCV

infection and the development of cerebrovascular disease, it may be possible to

prevent cerebrovascular disease by using specific antiviral strategies.”