title: [Registry of liver biopsies from hepatitis C infected patients in the Alpes-Maritimes (France). Results from the first 2 years].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a descriptive analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis C based on a local registry of liver biopsies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Collection of clinical, biological and histological data from all HCV-infected patients who underwent liver biopsy between January 1997 and December 1998 in the Alpes-Maritimes (France).
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand and fifty six patients including 924 who lived in the Alpes-Maritimes (515 male, 409 female, mean age: 44.9 years old) were included. Intravenous drug use (30.1%) was the major suspected source of infection before blood transfusion (28.2%). Among intravenous drug users, 38% of patients were infected with genotype 1a and 37.4% with genotype 3. The METAVIR fibrosis severity score was distributed as follows: F0: 10.8%, F1: 53.7%, F2: 15.9%, F3: 14.7%, and F4: 4.9%. In a multivariate analysis adjusted for the duration of infection, independent risk factors associated with the severity of fibrosis were age at contamination >=30 years, genotype other than 1a and alcohol intake >=50 g/day. Determination of HCV antibody and liver biopsy were performed an average of 12.5 and 14 years after presumed date of contamination, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data provide a clearer view of the impact of this condition in this area and could help to define a comprehensive policy for patient management.
authors.affiliation: Réseau Hépatite C, Côte-d'Azur, Nice, France.
authors.forename: Eugènia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mariné-Barjoan
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fontas
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pradier
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ouzan
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Saint-Paul
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sattonnet
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delasalle
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Boulant
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gueyffier
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Varini
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Fabrice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Michiels
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dellamonica
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rampal
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tran
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D012042:Registries; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
vernacular_title: Registre des ponctions-biopsies hépatiques réalisées chez les malades atteints d'hépatite chronique C dans le département des Alpes-Maritimes.