Liver stiffness decrease after effective antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C: Longitudinal study using FibroScan.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to assess the changes of liver stiffness (LS) and its associated factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) after interferon (IFN)-based therapy.


METHODS
Patients with chronic HCV who had previously undergone at least 20 weeks of IFN-based therapy were enrolled. The patients' initial LS measurement was taken at the time of enrollment, and a second LS measurement was made after an interval of at least 38 weeks. LS measurement was carried out with FibroScan, and changes of LS and its associated factors were analyzed.


RESULTS
One hundred and forty-four patients, including 95 sustained virological response (SVR) patients and 49 non-sustained virological response (NSVR) patients, were enrolled. There was a significant decrease of LS among SVR patients (median, 0.6; P < 0.001). NSVR patients showed an increase of LS (median, 0.8; P = 0.557). For SVR patients, a high initial LS was the predictive factor of a rapid reduction of LS values. However, advanced fibrosis stage before therapy, higher body mass index (BMI) and longer time remission were predictive factors for slow reduction of LS values.


CONCLUSIONS
LS decreases in sustained responders following IFN-based therapy in patients with chronic HCV. Advanced fibrosis, higher BMI, longer time for remission and lower initial LS value are predictive factors for a slow improvement of LS in sustained responders.
Wang
Jing-Houng
JH
Division of Hepato-Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Changchien
Chi-Sin
CS
Hung
Chao-Hung
CH
Tung
Wei-Chih
WC
Kee
Kwong-Ming
KM
Chen
Chien-Hung
CH
Hu
Tsung-Hui
TH
Lee
Chuan-Mo
CM
Lu
Sheng-Nan
SN
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004548:Elasticity; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012254:Ribavirin; D007372:Interferons