title: Slowly tapering off steroids protects the graft against hepatitis C recurrence after liver transplantation.
abstract: Chronic hepatitis C represents a major clinical problem after liver transplantation, but factors influencing the recurrent disease have not been well characterized. We analyzed the clinical records of all the patients transplanted for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease in our Center between 1991 and 1997. Eighty consecutive HCV-positive (+) patients (60 men, ages 28 to 64) survived more than 1 month after transplantation and were followed for a median of 45 months. Diagnosis of recurrent chronic hepatitis C was made in 38 patients (47.5%), of whom 22 had moderate/severe chronic hepatitis. Decompensated cirrhosis occurred in six patients (7.5%). No difference in patient survival was found between patients with and without hepatitis C recurrence. No association was found between recurrent hepatitis C and presumed risk factors. The method of tapering off corticosteroids was significantly associated with both hepatitis C recurrence and the severity of hepatitis. In patients receiving a higher daily prednisone dose, 12 months after transplantation, the proportion of recurrent hepatitis C was 35.7% versus 66.6% (P = .02; odds ratio [OR], 3.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.25 to 10.36), and among patients receiving a higher daily prednisone dose, 6 months after transplantation, the proportion of moderate/severe chronic hepatitis C was 40% versus 89% (P = .03; OR: 0.08, 95% CI: 0.008 to 0.84). Finally, prednisone dose at month six was significantly associated with disease-free survival of the liver graft. In conclusion, our results seem to indicate that in HCV-infected liver transplant recipients, a long-term treatment with corticosteroids, slowly tapered off over time, may prevent the more aggressive forms of recurrent liver disease.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005544:Forecasting; D006085:Graft Survival; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D011241:Prednisone