A national sample of individuals who acquired hepatitis C virus infections in childhood or adolescence: risk factors for advanced disease.
OBJECTIVE
To describe hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver disease in a national cohort of patients who acquired their infections in childhood or adolescence and to assess risk factors for progressive disease and response to antiviral therapy.


METHODS
Demographic, laboratory, and clinical outcome data on 246 individuals who acquired HCV infection before the age of 16 years were extracted from the UK HCV National Register database. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent effects of sex, age, duration and route of infection, and comorbidity on histological stage of liver disease.


RESULTS
Median ages at enrollment and follow-up were 14.0 years (range, 2.2-29.6 years) and 19.2 years (range, 2.3-35.5 years), respectively. Mean duration of infection at enrollment was 8.5 years (standard deviation [SD], 3.3 years), and mean duration of follow-up was 4.5 years (SD, 4.5 years). Fifty-nine (24%) had persistently abnormal liver aminotransferase levels; 22% reported physical signs and symptoms of liver disease. Among 123 individuals with liver biopsies, 117 (95%) had abnormal histological findings. Ninety-eight individuals had biopsies referred for independent blind scoring; median Ishak grade and stage scores were 3 and 1, respectively. Presence of comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 7.19; 95% CI, 2.00-26.17; P = 0.003) and female sex (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.10-1.00; P = 0.05) were independently associated with histological stage scores greater than the median. A total of 110 individuals received antiviral therapy; 47% achieved a sustained response.


CONCLUSIONS
HCV-related liver disease in those who acquired the infection in childhood or adolescence was mild for most, although comorbidity and female sex were associated with more advanced disease. Antiviral therapy in childhood or adolescence successfully eradicates the virus for many patients.
Harris
Helen E
HE
Immunisation Department, Health Protection Agency, Centre for Infections, London, UK. helen.harris@hpa.org.uk
Mieli-Vergani
Giorgina
G
Kelly
Deirdre
D
Davison
Suzanne
S
Gibb
Diana M
DM
Ramsay
Mary E
ME
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000410:Alanine Transaminase