[Registry of liver biopsies from hepatitis C infected patients in the Alpes-Maritimes (France). Results from the first 2 years].
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.
Mariné-Barjoan
Eugènia
E
Réseau Hépatite C, Côte-d'Azur, Nice, France.
Fontas
Eric
E
Pradier
Christian
C
Ouzan
Denis
D
Saint-Paul
Marie-Christine
MC
Sattonnet
Christophe
C
Delasalle
Patrick
P
Boulant
James
J
Gueyffier
Claude
C
Varini
Jean-Pierre
JP
Bianchi
Daniel
D
Longo
Fabrice
F
Michiels
Jean-François
JF
Dellamonica
Pierre
P
Rampal
Patrick
P
Tran
Albert
A
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
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
Registre des ponctions-biopsies hépatiques réalisées chez les malades atteints d'hépatite chronique C dans le département des Alpes-Maritimes.