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Soriano V, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, de Jesús F, Corral O, de Mendoza C. Prospects for Controlling Hepatitis B Globally. Pathogens 2024; 13:291. [PMID: 38668246 PMCID: PMC11054959 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) is highly prevalent globally. Over 250 million people suffer from chronic hepatitis B, and more than 800,000 patients die each year due to hepatitis B complications, including liver cancer. Although protective HBV vaccines are recommended for all newborns, global coverage is suboptimal. In adults, sexual transmission is by far the most frequent route of contagion. The WHO estimates that 1.5 million new HBV infections occur annually. Oral nucleos(t)ide analogues entecavir and tenofovir are the most frequent antivirals prescribed as HBV therapy. Almost all patients adherent to the medication achieve undetectable plasma viremia beyond 6 months of monotherapy. However, less than 5% achieve anti-HBs seroconversion, and viral rebound occurs following drug discontinuation. Therefore, nucleos(t)ide analogues need to be lifelong. New long-acting formulations of tenofovir and entecavir are being developed that will maximize treatment benefit and overcome adherence barriers. Furthermore, new antiviral agents are in development, including entry inhibitors, capside assembly modulators, and RNA interference molecules. The use of combination therapy pursues a functional HBV cure, meaning it is negative for both circulating HBV-DNA and HBsAg. Even when this goal is achieved, the cccDNA reservoir within infected hepatocytes remains a signal of past infection, and HBV can reactivate under immune suppression. Therefore, new gene therapies, including gene editing, are eagerly being pursued to silence or definitively disrupt HBV genomes within infected hepatocytes and, in this way, ultimately cure hepatitis B. At this time, three actions can be taken to push HBV eradication globally: (1) expand universal newborn HBV vaccination; (2) perform once-in-life testing of all adults to identify susceptible HBV persons that could be vaccinated (or re-vaccinated) and unveil asymptomatic carriers that could benefit from treatment; and (3) provide earlier antiviral therapy to chronic HBV carriers, as being aviremic reduces the risk of both clinical progression and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Soriano
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno-Torres
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, 28010 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro University Hospital, Majadahonda, 28222 Madrid, Spain
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Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) only infects patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) due to its reliance on HBV surface proteins to form its envelope. With shared routes of transmission, HDV coinfection is estimated to occur in 15% of patients with HIV and HBV. However, HDV is often underdiagnosed and may be missed particularly in people living with HIV (PLWH) who are already on antiretroviral therapy with anti-HBV activity and coincidental HBV suppression. At the same time, HDV causes the most severe form of chronic viral hepatitis and leads to faster progression of liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Thus, increased recognition and effective treatment are paramount, and as novel treatment options approach global markets, the study of their efficacy in PLWH should be pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debra W Yen
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
| | - Vicente Soriano
- Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Universidad Internacional La Rioja (UNIR), Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Barreiro
- Public Health Regional Laboratory, Hospital Isabel Zendal, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Kenneth E Sherman
- Division of Digestive Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
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Ramos-Rincon JM, Pinargote-Celorio H, de Mendoza C, Ramos-Belinchón C, Moreno-Torres V, Treviño A, Barreiro P, Corral O, Soriano V. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hospital admissions due to viral hepatitis in Spain. J Clin Virol 2023; 167:105553. [PMID: 37549555 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Before the advent of COVID-19 vaccines, hospitalizations due to SARS-CoV-2 infection during 2020 collapsed most medical centers worldwide. Disruptions in health care for clinical conditions other than COVID-19 were not uniform. Herein, we report the impact of COVID-19 on hospitalizations due to viral hepatitis in Spain. METHODS Retrospective study of all hospitalizations in Spain during 10 months before (pre-pandemic period) and after (pandemic period) March 1st 2020. Admissions with a diagnosis of hepatitis B, C and/or delta were retrieved and compared using the Spanish National Registry of Hospital Discharges. RESULTS Nationwide hospitalizations declined 14.6% during the pandemic period, from 3,144,164 to 2,684,845. This reduction was significantly more pronounced for admissions due to viral hepatitis (18.1% drop), falling from 46,521 to 38,115. During the pandemic period, patients admitted with viral hepatitis died significantly more frequently than during the pre-pandemic period (7.2% vs 6.1%; p < 0.001). Liver transplants significantly declined during the pandemic period. COVID-19 was diagnosed in 10.3% of patients hospitalized with viral hepatitis during the pandemic period. This subset of patients was older and died 2.4-fold more frequently than the rest, despite having advanced liver disease less frequently. CONCLUSION Hospitalizations due to viral hepatitis significantly declined in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients admitted with viral hepatitis experienced a greater mortality during the pandemic period. Deaths were more pronounced when coinfected with SARS-CoV-2 despite having advanced liver disease less frequently.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Ramos-Rincon
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante-ISABIAL & Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Héctor Pinargote-Celorio
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante-ISABIAL & Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Víctor Moreno-Torres
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain; UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Barreiro
- Regional Public Health Laboratory, Hospital Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicente Soriano
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain.
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Soriano V, de Mendoza C, Treviño A, Ramos-Rincón JM, Moreno-Torres V, Corral O, Barreiro P. Treatment of hepatitis delta and HIV infection. Liver Int 2023; 43 Suppl 1:108-115. [PMID: 35748639 DOI: 10.1111/liv.15345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) is a defective agent that only infects individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Around 5-10% of chronic hepatitis B patients worldwide are superinfected with HDV, which means 15-25 million people. Hepatitis delta is the most severe of all chronic viral hepatitis, leading to cirrhosis, liver cancer and/or transplantation in most patients. Despite it, many HDV patients remain undiagnosed. The only treatment available until recently was peginterferon alfa, with poor results and significant side effects. The recent approval of bulevirtide, a lipopeptide that blocks HBV/HDV entry, has revolutionized the field. Another drug, lonafarnib, already approved to treat progeria, is expected to be available soon as HDV therapy. Since there is no cell reservoir for the HDV RNA genome, hypothetically viral clearance could be achieved if complete blocking of viral replication occurs for a minimum time frame. This is what happens in hepatitis C using direct-acting antivirals, with the achievement of cure in nearly all treated patients. We envision the cure of hepatitis delta using combination antiviral therapy. Given that sexual and parenteral transmission routes are the most frequent for the acquisition of HBV and HDV, shared with HIV infection and HBV/HDV and HIV coinfection. The clinical outcome of hepatitis delta is worst in the HIV setting, with more frequent liver complications. Since most persons infected with HIV are on regular health care follow-up, we propose that HIV-HDV patients should be prioritized for moving forward new and potentially curative treatments for hepatitis delta.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Manuel Ramos-Rincón
- Medicine Department, Alicante University Hospital & Alicante Institute of Health and Biomedical Research (ISABIAL), Alicante, Spain
| | - Víctor Moreno-Torres
- Department of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Barreiro
- Public Health Regional Laboratory, Hospital Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
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Brancaccio G, Coco B, Nardi A, Quaranta MG, Tosti ME, Ferrigno L, Cacciola I, Messina V, Chessa L, Morisco F, Milella M, Barbaro F, Ciancio A, Russo FP, Coppola N, Blanc P, Claar E, Verucchi G, Puoti M, Zignego AL, Chemello L, Madonia S, Fagiuoli S, Marzano A, Ferrari C, Lampertico P, Di Marco V, Craxì A, Santantonio TA, Raimondo G, Brunetto MR, Gaeta GB, Kondili LA. Trends in chronic hepatitis B virus infection in Italy over a 10-year period: Clues from the nationwide PITER and MASTER cohorts toward elimination. Int J Infect Dis 2023; 129:266-273. [PMID: 36791877 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study measures trends in the profile of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus linked to care in Italy. METHODS A cross-sectional, multicenter, observational cohort (PITER cohort) of consecutive patients with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) over the period 2019-2021 from 46 centers was evaluated. The reference was the MASTER cohort collected over the years 2012-2015. Standard statistical methods were used. RESULTS The PITER cohort enrolled 4583 patients, of whom 21.8% were non-Italian natives. Compared with those in MASTER, the patients were older and more often female. The prevalence of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) declined (7.2% vs 12.3; P <0.0001) and that of anti-hepatitis D virus (HDV) remained stable (9.3% vs 8.3%). In both cohorts, about 25% of the patients had cirrhosis, and those in the PITER cohort were older. HBeAg-positive was 5.0% vs 12.6% (P <0.0001) and anti-HDV positive 24.8% vs 17.5% (P <0.0017). In the logistic model, the variables associated with cirrhosis were anti-HDV-positive (odds ratio = 10.08; confidence interval 7.63-13.43), age, sex, and body mass index; the likelihood of cirrhosis was reduced by 40% in the PITER cohort. Among non-Italians, 12.3% were HBeAg-positive (vs 23.4% in the MASTER cohort; P <0.0001), and 12.3% were anti-HDV-positive (vs 11.1%). Overall, the adherence to the European Association for the Study of the Liver recommendations for antiviral treatment increased over time. CONCLUSION Chronic hepatitis B virus infection appears to be in the process of becoming under control in Italy; however, HDV infection is still a health concern in patients with cirrhosis and in migrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Brancaccio
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Barbara Coco
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandra Nardi
- Department of Mathematics, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Luigina Ferrigno
- Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Cacciola
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Messina
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sant'Anna Hospital, Caserta, Italy
| | - Luchino Chessa
- Liver Unit, University Hospital, Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Filomena Morisco
- Liver and Biliary System Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples, Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Milella
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases, University of Bari, University Hospital Policlinico, Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Barbaro
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Diseases Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Alessia Ciancio
- Gastroenterology Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza of Turin, University Hospital, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Paolo Russo
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology, Gastroenterology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicola Coppola
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Mental Health and Public Medicine, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Blanc
- Infectious Disease Unit, Santa Maria Annunziata Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Gabriella Verucchi
- Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Unit, Alma Mater Studiorum Bologna University, Bologna, Italy
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Infectious Disease Unit, Niguarda Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Linda Zignego
- Center for Systemic Manifestations of Hepatitis Viruses, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Liliana Chemello
- Department of Medicine, Unit of Internal Medicine & Hepatology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Salvatore Madonia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Villa Sofia-Cervello Hospital, Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Fagiuoli
- Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Milan Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Gastroenterology Hepatology and Transplantation, Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | - Carlo Ferrari
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Unit of Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Pietro Lampertico
- Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Milan, Italy; CRC "A. M. and A. Migliavacca" Center for Liver Disease, Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Vito Di Marco
- Unit of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Biomedical Department of Internal and Specialistic Medicine, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonio Craxì
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, PROMISE, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Raimondo
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Maurizia R Brunetto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Loreta A Kondili
- Center for Global Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; UniCamillus-Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy.
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Brancaccio G, Shanyinde M, Puoti M, Gaeta GB, Monforte AD, Vergori A, Rusconi S, Mazzarelli A, Castagna A, Antinori A, Cozzi-Lepri A. Hepatitis delta coinfection in persons with HIV: misdiagnosis and disease burden in Italy. Pathog Glob Health 2023; 117:181-189. [PMID: 35249472 PMCID: PMC9970224 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2022.2047551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis Delta virus (HDV) causes severe liver disease. Due to similarities in transmission routes, persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at risk of HDV infection. This analysis investigates the prevalence and the long-term clinical outcome of people with HDV in a large cohort of PLWH. We retrieved HBsAg ± anti-HDV positive PLWH enrolled from 1997 to 2015 in the multicentre, prospective ICONA study. The primary endpoint was a composite clinical outcome (CCO = having experienced ≥1 of the following: Fib4 score >3.25; diagnosis of cirrhosis; decompensation; hepatocellular carcinoma or liver-related death). Kaplan-Meier curves and unweighted and weighted Cox regression models were used for data analysis. Less than half of HBsAg positive patients had been tested for anti-HDV in clinical practice. After testing stored sera, among 617 HBV/HIV cases, 115 (19%) were anti-HDV positive; 405 (65%) HBV monoinfected; 99 (16%) undeterminate. The prevalence declined over the observation period. HDV patients were more often males, intravenous drug users, HCV coinfected. After a median of 26 months, 55/115 (48%) developed CCO among HDV+; 98/403 (24%) among HBV monoinfected; 18/99 (18%) in HDV unknown (p < 0.001). After controlling for geographical region, alcohol consumption, CD4 count, anti-HCV status and IFN-based therapies, the association with HDV retained statistical significance [HR = 1.67 (1.15, 2.95; p = 0.025)]. HDV infection among PLWH is underdiagnosed, although HDV entails an high risk of liver disease progression. Because effective drugs to treat HDV are now available, it is even more crucial to identify PLWH at an early stage of liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milensu Shanyinde
- Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Massimo Puoti
- Infectious Diseases, Hospital Niguarda, Milan, Italy
| | - Giovanni B Gaeta
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University L. Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Vergori
- Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Rusconi
- UOC Malattie Infettive, Ospedale Civile di Legnano, ASST Ovest Milanese, Legnano, Italy
| | - Antonio Mazzarelli
- Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Antinori
- Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani", Rome, Italy
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Ramos-Rincon JM, Pinargote-Celorio H, de Mendoza C, Ramos-Belinchón C, Barreiro P, Treviño A, Corral O, Soriano V. Impact of potent nucleos(t)ide therapy on hepatitis B hospitalisations in Spain. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2023; 57:540-548. [PMID: 36320189 DOI: 10.1111/apt.17280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide. Newborn HBV vaccination was implemented in Spain two decades ago, and potent oral antivirals entecavir and tenofovir were introduced around 2007. AIM To assess the clinical benefits of these interventions nationwide. METHODS Including HBV as a diagnosis, we performed a retrospective study of all hospitalisations in Spain the Spanish National Registry of Hospital Discharges. Information was retrieved from 1997 to 2017. RESULTS From 73,939,642 nationwide hospital admissions during the study period, 129,634 (0.17%) included HBV as diagnosis. Their number doubled from 2007 to 2017 and the median age increased from 44 to 58 years. Most HBV admissions recorded chronic hepatitis B. In-hospital death occurred in 6.4%. Co-infection with HIV or hepatitis C virus occurred in 11.9% and 23.3%, respectively. Patients with HIV-HBV co-infection had significantly greater mortality than individuals with HBV mono-infection. The rate of HBV hospitalisations significantly increased over time with a transient drop around 2007, coincident with the arrival of new potent oral antivirals. Although the proportion of HBV hepatic decompensation events has declined, the rate of liver cancer continues to rise. The small subset of patients with hepatitis delta superinfection increasingly and disproportionately accounts for hepatic decompensation events and liver cancer. CONCLUSION Hospital admissions of individuals with HBV infection are increasing in Spain. While hepatic decompensation events declined following the introduction of potent oral nucleos(t)ide therapy, HBV-related liver cancer is rising. No benefit of oral antiviral therapies is seen on hepatitis delta.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-Manuel Ramos-Rincon
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante-ISABIAL & Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Héctor Pinargote-Celorio
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante-ISABIAL & Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Majadahonda, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Barreiro
- Regional Public Health Laboratory, Hospital Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Treviño
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
| | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
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Ramos-Rincon JM, Pinargote-Celorio H, de Mendoza C, Ramos-Belinchón C, Barreiro P, Gómez-Gallego F, Corral O, Soriano V. Hepatitis C hospitalizations in Spain and impact of new curative antiviral therapies. J Viral Hepat 2022; 29:777-784. [PMID: 35643914 DOI: 10.1111/jvh.13708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is major cause of decompensated cirrhosis and liver cancer. The advent of curative new antiviral therapies since year 2015 has dramatically improved the prognosis of HCV patients. The real-life clinical benefits at country level of these therapies have not yet been assessed. This is a retrospective study of all hospitalizations in Spain including HCV as diagnosis using the Spanish National Registry of Hospital Discharges. Information was retrieved from 1997 to 2019. From 81,482,509 nationwide hospital admissions recorded during the study period, 1,057,582 (1.29%) included HCV as diagnosis. The median age of HCV hospitalized patients was 54 years old. Males accounted for 63.2% of cases. Most HCV admissions recorded chronic hepatitis C whereas acute hepatitis C was reported in less than 3%. In-hospital death occurred in 6.4% of HCV admissions. Coinfection with HIV or hepatitis B virus was seen in 14.8% and 6.4%, respectively. Patients hospitalized with HIV-HCV coinfection represented 14.8% of cases and were on average 17 years younger than HCV-monoinfected individuals. The rate of HCV hospitalizations significantly increased until 2005, and then stabilized for one decade. A significant reduction was noticed since 2015. However, whereas the proportion of HCV-associated hepatic decompensation events declined since then, liver cancer diagnoses increased. In conclusion, hospital admissions of HCV individuals significantly declined in Spain since 2015 following a wide prescription of new oral direct-acting antivirals. This reduction was primarily driven by a fall of hepatic decompensation events whereas HCV-related liver cancer continues rising.
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Affiliation(s)
- José-Manuel Ramos-Rincon
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante-ISABIAL & Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Héctor Pinargote-Celorio
- Internal Medicine Department, General University Hospital of Alicante-ISABIAL & Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Carmen de Mendoza
- Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Puerta de Hierro Research Institute & University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Barreiro
- Public Health Laboratory, Hospital Isabel Zendal, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Octavio Corral
- UNIR Health Sciences School & Medical Center, Madrid, Spain
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