Cognitive functioning and psychiatric symptomatology in patients with chronic hepatitis C

2003 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 847-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin C. Hilsabeck ◽  
Tarek I. Hassanein ◽  
Meghan D. Carlson ◽  
Elizabeth A. Ziegler ◽  
William Perry

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public-health-care problem, with over 170 million infected worldwide. Patients with chronic HCV infection often complain of various cognitive problems as well as symptoms of depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Relatively little is known, however, about the specific cognitive deficits that are common among HCV patients, and the influence of psychiatric symptomatology on cognitive functioning. In the current study of 21 chronically infected HCV patients, we assessed subjective cognitive dysfunction, depression, anxiety, and fatigue and compared these symptom areas to cognitive tests assessing visuoconstruction, learning, memory, visual attention, psychomotor speed, and mental flexibility. Results revealed that cognitive impairment ranged from 9% of patients on a visuoconstruction task to 38% of patients on a measure of complex attention, visual scanning and tracking, and psychomotor speed, and greater HCV disease severity as indicated by liver fibrosis was associated with greater cognitive dysfunction. Objective cognitive impairment was not related to subjective cognitive complaints or psychiatric symptomatology. These findings suggest that a significant portion of patients with chronic HCV experience cognitive difficulties that may interfere with activities of daily living and quality of life. Future research using cognitive measures with HCV-infected patients may assist researchers in identifying if there is a direct effect of HCV infection on the brain and which patients may be more likely to progress to cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy. (JINS, 2003, 9, 847–854.)

2001 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. A567-A567 ◽  
Author(s):  
E JAECKEL ◽  
M CORNBERG ◽  
T SANTANTONIO ◽  
J MAYER ◽  
H WEDEMEYER ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 152 (22) ◽  
pp. 876-881
Author(s):  
Alajos Pár

The review discusses the genetic polymorphisms involved in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, that may determine the outcome of disease. In this field earlier both certain major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles and some cytokine gene variants have also been studied. Recently, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) and targeted single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis have revealed that a variant in the promoter region of interleukin-28B (IL-28B) gene is strongly linked to viral clearance and it may be the strongest pretreatment predictor of treatment response in chronic hepatitis C. Last year it was shown that two genetic variants leading to inosine triphosphatase deficiency protect against haemolytic anemia in patients receiving ribavirin during antiviral treatment for chronic HCV infection. Orv. Hetil., 2011, 152, 876–881.


2020 ◽  
pp. 089719002097776
Author(s):  
Kayla M. Natali ◽  
Humberto R. Jimenez ◽  
Jihad Slim

Background Coadministration of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and first generation anticonvulsants is currently not recommended due to a drug-drug interaction that could potentially lead to subtherapeutic DAA levels and subsequent treatment failure. Currently, there is limited data evaluating this interaction and timely treatment of HCV infection with DAAs is imperative to prevent liver-related morbidity and mortality. Methods A retrospective case series evaluating clinical cure of chronic HCV infection, defined as sustained virologic response (SVR) 12 weeks after completion of DAA therapy, in patients from three inner-city clinics who remained on first generation anticonvulsants during the treatment course. Results A total of five patients received standard dose DAAs for treatment of chronic HCV infection while being maintained on first generation anticonvulsants. The most common HCV genotype was 1a (80%), followed by 1b (20%). The majority of patients were treated with glecaprevir/pibrentasvir (80%) for eight weeks and one patient was treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir for 12 weeks. Anticonvulsant regimens consisted of carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenytoin plus phenobarbital, phenytoin plus levetiracetam, and phenobarbital plus lacosamide. All five patients achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) despite this drug-drug interaction. Conclusion Although every effort to prevent concomitant use of DAAs and potent inducers should be made, clinical cure may still be achieved in patients whom cannot avoid this coadministration.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 597
Author(s):  
Bianca Cerbu ◽  
Stelian Pantea ◽  
Felix Bratosin ◽  
Iulia Vidican ◽  
Mirela Turaiche ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing public health emergency. Patients with chronic diseases are at greater risk for complications and poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the liver function abnormalities and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and chronic hepatitis C. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study was conducted on a cohort of 126 patients with a history of hepatitis C, confirmed with COVID-19 between 01 April 2020 and 30 December 2020. Several clinical outcomes were compared between patients with active and non-active HCV infection, and the risks of liver impairment and all-cause mortality in active HCV patients were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. Results: Among 1057 patients under follow-up for chronic HCV infection, 126 (11.9%) were confirmed with COVID-19; of these, 95 (75.4%) were under treatment or achieved SVR, while in the other 31 (24.6%), we found active HCV replication. There was a significantly higher proportion of severe COVID-19 cases in the active HCV group as compared to the non-active HCV group (32.2 vs. 7.3%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, alanine aminotransferase, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and HCV viral load were significant independent risk factors for liver impairment and all-cause mortality. The length of stay in hospital and intensive care unit for COVID-19 was significantly higher in patients with active HCV infection (p-value < 0.001), and a higher proportion of these patients required mechanical ventilation. Conclusions: Active HCV infection is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in COVID-19 patients.


2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41
Author(s):  
Fatima Abood Chaloob

Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) imposes a global challenge with over 180 million cases worldwide. Only few patients spontaneously had their virus neutralized, while most patients develop chronic HCV infection. This implies a key role of genetic factors in viral clearance or persistence. The current study aimed at clarifying the effect of certain single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on individual's susceptibility to HCV infection.  A total of 60 patients with confirmed HCV infection and 35 apparently healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Blood sample was obtained from each participant, from which DNA was extracted. The JAK1gene was amplified with conventional PCR technique using three sets of primers targeting three SNPs in this gene: rs2780895, rs4244165 and rs17127024. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) was used for genotyping of PCR products. Each of rs2780895 and rs17127024 had two genotypes in both patients and controls, however, only the heterozygous genotype of the SNP rs2780895 (CT) significantly associated with the susceptibility to HCV. The SNP rs4244165 appeared in only with homozygous wild genotype (GG) in both patients and controls. It can be concluded that allele T of the SNP rs2780895 could be considered as a risk factor for infection with HCV


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 819-825
Author(s):  
Dragan Delic ◽  
Zorica Nesic ◽  
Milica Prostran ◽  
Ivan Boricic ◽  
Nada Tomanovic ◽  
...  

Background/aim: The natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is variable and the factors determining the course of the illness are unclear. There are geographical variations in the distribution of different HCV genotypes, and some of them are related to the specific infection routes. Regarding our country, the dominant genotype is genotype 1b. It is unclear and still remains a question whether the distinct histopathological manifestations are related to the particular genotypes of HCV. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether the distinct histopathological manifestations of HCV infection might be in relation to the individual virus genotype. Methods. In this study we examined 126 patients with chronic HCV infection regarding the histopathological features, demographic data, and virus genotype. The observed groups of patients were predominantly infected with HCV genotypes 1b and 3a. Results. In this study we found that the patients infected with HCV genotype 1b had more frequently moderate or severe necroinflammatory activity of the disease, significantly higher grading score as compared with other genotypes (p < 0.0001). A higher degree of fibrosis was, also, more common in the patients infected with genotype 1b of HCV as compared with other genotypes (p < 0.05). There were no significant correlations between the necroinflammatory activity of the disease and the stage of fibrosis in 1b, 4 and mixed genotypes. Conclusion. The present data support the hypothesis that distinct genotypes of HCV are associated with the particular histopathological manifestation of the disease.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cécile Brouard ◽  
Josiane Pillonel ◽  
Marjorie Boussac ◽  
Victor de Lédinghen ◽  
Antoine Rachas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination by 2030, as targeted by the World Health Organization (WHO), requires that 90% of people with chronic infection be diagnosed and 80% treated. We estimated the cascade of care (CoC) for chronic HCV infection in mainland France in 2011 and 2016, before and after the introduction of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs). Methods The numbers of people (1) with chronic HCV infection, (2) aware of their infection, (3) receiving care for HCV and (4) on antiviral treatment, were estimated for 2011 and 2016. Estimates for 1) and 2) were based on modelling studies for 2011 and on a virological sub-study nested in a national cross-sectional survey among the general population for 2016. Estimates for 3) and 4) were made using the National Health Data System. Results Between 2011 and 2016, the number of people with chronic HCV infection decreased by 31%, from 192,700 (95% Credibility interval: 150,900-246,100) to 133,500 (95% Confidence interval: 56,900-312,600). The proportion of people aware of their infection rose from 57.7 to 80.6%. The number of people receiving care for HCV increased by 22.5% (representing 25.7% of those infected in 2016), while the number of people on treatment increased by 24.6% (representing 12.1% of those infected in 2016). Conclusions This study suggests that DAAs substantially impact CoC. However, access to care and treatment for infected people remained insufficient in 2016. Updating CoC estimates will help to assess the impact of new measures implemented since 2016 as part of the goal to eliminate HCV.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S159-S159
Author(s):  
Michelle Rose ◽  
John Allen Myers ◽  
Nicholas Ryan ◽  
Alissa Prince ◽  
Morgan Talbot ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Previous research has shown millennials represent the fastest growing generation for those infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Millennials are also a key driver in the opioid crisis, particularly in states of the Appalachian region including Kentucky. Despite research demonstrating a change in prevalence from baby boomers (born 1945–1965) to millennials (born 1980–1995), large representative studies providing evidence of the magnitude of this demographic shift are lacking in the United States. Our objective was to assess trends of HCV infection since 2016 in a large healthcare system located in an area of high prevalence of opioid use and HCV infection. Methods All individuals were screened for HCV infection in 2016, 2017, and 2018 within Norton Healthcare per standard risk-based criteria (e.g., injection drug users, baby boomers, etc.) as recommended by CDC, except for pregnant women who were universally screened since 2016. We tested for demographic shifts over time using longitudinal and time series analyses techniques Results A total of 86,243 individuals were screened for HCV infection from 2016 to 2018. Of those, 2,615 (3.0%) individuals screened positive for chronic HCV. The average age of those infected significantly decreased by an average of 3.7 years annually (from 47.3 years in 2016 to 39.9 years in 2018, P < 0.001). We forecast a plateau near the age of 28 years will be observed in just over 7 years. In addition, the proportion of millennials increased over time (33.6% in 2016, 42.4% in 2017 and 51.4% in 2018, P < 0.001), while baby boomers significantly decreased over time (44.0% in 2016, 38.8% in 2017, and 29.3% in 2018, P < 0.001). Lastly, over time, those with chronic HCV were more likely to be male (increasing from 49.6% to 54.4%, P = 0.008) and Hispanic (increasing from 1.6% to 17.7%, P < 0.001) Conclusion Our results suggest that HCV infection has become a predominately millennial disease, skipping a generation. These results correlate with trends seen with the opioid epidemic, which is driven by millennials. We conclude that the opioid crisis has led to a drastic demographic shift, and currently the typical HCV-infected individual is a younger male. Without interventions, this trend will continue for over seven years, plateauing near the demarcation of millennials and generation Z Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian C. Belrose ◽  
Ruediger R. Noppens

Abstract Background The impact of general anesthesia on cognitive impairment is controversial and complex. A large body of evidence supports the association between exposure to surgery under general anesthesia and development of delayed neurocognitive recovery in a subset of patients. Existing literature continues to debate whether these short-term effects on cognition can be attributed to anesthetic agents themselves, or whether other variables are causative of the observed changes in cognition. Furthermore, there is conflicting data on the relationship between anesthesia exposure and the development of long-term neurocognitive disorders, or development of incident dementia in the patient population with normal preoperative cognitive function. Patients with pre-existing cognitive impairment present a unique set of anesthetic considerations, including potential medication interactions, challenges with cooperation during assessment and non-general anesthesia techniques, and the possibility that pre-existing cognitive impairment may impart a susceptibility to further cognitive dysfunction. Main body This review highlights landmark and recent studies in the field, and explores potential mechanisms involved in perioperative cognitive disorders (also known as postoperative cognitive dysfunction, POCD). Specifically, we will review clinical and preclinical evidence which implicates alterations to tau protein, inflammation, calcium dysregulation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. As our population ages and the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia continues to increase, we require a greater understanding of potential modifiable factors that impact perioperative cognitive impairment. Conclusions Future research should aim to further characterize the associated risk factors and determine whether certain anesthetic approaches or other interventions may lower the potential risk which may be conferred by anesthesia and/or surgery in susceptible individuals.


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