title: Strong correlation by ultrasonography of hepatomegaly and the presence of co-infection in HIV/HCV cirrhotic patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Progression of hepatic fibrosis is accelerated in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus compared to hepatitis C virus mono-infected patients. This study aimed to compare ultrasound features and selected clinical and biochemical variables between patients with human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infection (n=16) versus hepatitis C virus mono-infection (n=16).
  
  
  METHODS
  Each patient underwent abdominal ultrasound, and a specific evaluation was performed in order to detect findings consistent with chronic liver disease. Characterization of spleen size, liver structural pattern, diameter of the portal, spleen, and mesenteric veins was based on classical ultrasound parameters. Propensity score was used for control of selection bias and performed using binary logistic regression to generate a score for each patient. The Fisher and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate categorical variables and continuous variables, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On univariate analysis right hepatic lobe size was larger in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus patients (157.06 ± 17.56 mm) compared to hepatitis C virus mono-infected patients (134.94 ± 16.95 mm) (p=0.0011). The left hepatic lobe was also significantly larger in human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus patients (115.88 ± 22.69 mm) versus hepatitis C virus mono-infected patients (95.06 ± 24.18 mm) (p=0.0177). Also, there was a strong correlation between hepatomegaly and co-infection (p=0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human immunodeficiency virus infection was the primary variable influencing liver enlargement in this population. Hepatomegaly on ultrasound was more common among cirrhotic human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients than among cirrhotic hepatitis C virus mono-infected patients. This aspect is very important in the management of human immunodeficiency virus/hepatitis C virus co-infected patients, because screening for hepatocellular carcinoma is necessary in this population.
authors: Department of Gastroenterology, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. denise.paranagua@gmail.com
authors: Denise Cerqueira Paranaguá
authors: DC
authors: Vezozzo
authors: Maria Cassia
authors: MC
authors: Mendes-Correa
authors: Marlone
authors: M
authors: Cunha-Silva
authors: Mónica Viviana
authors: MV
authors: Alvarado-Mora
authors: João Ítalo Dias
authors: JÍ
authors: França
authors: José Luiz
authors: JL
authors: Sebba
authors: Antonio Carlos
authors: AC
authors: Nicodemo
authors: Claudia P M S
authors: CP
authors: Oliveira
authors: Flair José
authors: FJ
authors: Carrilho
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001706:Biopsy; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D060085:Coinfection / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014463:Ultrasonography