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Chang ML, Cheng JS, Chuang YH, Pao LH, Wu TS, Chen SC, Chang MY, Chien RN. Evolution of Cryoglobulinemia in Direct-Acting Antiviral-Treated Asian Hepatitis C Patients With Sustained Virological Responses: A 4-Year Prospective Cohort Study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:823160. [PMID: 35371039 PMCID: PMC8964347 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.823160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background How cryoglobulinemia evolves after sustained virological response (SVR) following direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment in Asian hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients remains elusive. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in 422 Taiwanese patients (358 completed DAA therapy and 353 experienced SVRs). Serum cryoglobulins were surveyed at baseline and every 3-6 months posttherapy. Results Of 422, 227 (53.8%) had cryoglobulinemia, 8 (1.89%) had cryoglobulinemic vasculitis. Of 227, 54 (23.8%), 57 (25.1%) and 116 (51.1%) had 1, 2 and 3 cryoglobulins, respectively; those with 3 cryoglobulins had the highest alanine aminotransferase, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and fibrosis-4 index. During a 4-year follow-up, among SVR patients, cryoglobulinemia rates decreased from 56.4% to 15.4%, single cryoglobulin rates increased (21.6% to 63.9%) and 3 cryoglobulin rates decreased (55.7% to 11.1%). Compared with baseline values, among SVR patients with baseline cryoglobulinemia, complement component 4 levels increased, and IgG and IgM levels decreased until 48 weeks posttherapy for those without posttherapy cryoglobulinemia. All 8 cryoglobulinemic vasculitis patients exhibited SVRs; 5 (62.5%) achieved complete clinical response 12 weeks posttherapy, of whom, 2 (40%) experienced clinical relapse 24~48 weeks posttherapy. Baseline IgM levels were associated with posttherapy cryoglobulinemia in SVR patients (cut-off values at 12, 24, 48 weeks and 4 years posttherapy: 130, 105, 118 and 168 mg/dL, respectively). Conclusions Among DAA-treated SVR patients, in 4 years, cryoglobulinemia rates decreased from 56.4% to 15.4%, multiple cryoglobulin rates decreased, cryoglobulinemia signals reversed, 62.5% of cryoglobulinemic vasculitis patients achieved complete clinical response (40% had relapse), and baseline IgM levels indicated posttherapy cryoglobulinemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Ling Chang
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Jur-Shan Cheng
- Clinical Informatics and Medical Statistics Research Center, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Chuang
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei and Linkou, Taiwan
| | - Li-Heng Pao
- Graduate Institute of Health-Industry Technology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Research Center for Industry of Human Ecology, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ting-Shu Wu
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shiang-Chi Chen
- Department of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Yu Chang
- Division of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Chien
- Division of Hepatology, Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
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