[Chronic hepatitis C in HIV co-infected patients. Study of 55 cases with liver biopsy].
OBJECTIVE
To study the evolution of chronic hepatitis in HIV-HCV co-infected patients and the factors conditioning this evolution.


METHODS
55 intravenous drug users with HIV-HCV co-infection were studied. We performed a clinical and laboratory study determining the age at the time of HCV infection and the date of liver biopsy, HIV stage, CD4 cell count, viral load, and time under antiretroviral treatment. Moreover, we analyzed the HCV genotype, HCV viral load, ALT plasmatic level, and liver biopsy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were made.


RESULTS
55 patients with HIV-HCV co-infection were evaluated. In the multivariate analysis, gender (p = 0.034; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.306-1082.625), lowest level of CD4+ lymphocytes (p = 0.021; 95% CI, 1,693-653,484) and highest viral load value (p = 0.022; 95% CI, 1366-53,817) were significantly correlated with liver disease progression.


CONCLUSIONS
Both a male sex and a poor immune system situation are associated with a worse evolution of chronic hepatitis C.
Rubio Caballero
Manuel
M
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Arnau de Vilanova, Lleida, Spain. mrubio@arnau.scs.es
Rubio Rivas
Carmen
C
Egido García
Ramón
R
Nogués Biau
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications