Natural history of compensated viral cirrhosis: a prospective study on the incidence and hierarchy of major complications

Gut. 2004 May;53(5):744-9. doi: 10.1136/gut.2003.020263.

Abstract

Background and aims: The natural history of initially compensated cirrhosis due to hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) virus is only partially defined. We have investigated morbidity and mortality rates and the hierarchy of complications in compensated viral cirrhosis over a long follow up period.

Patients and methods: A cohort of Italian patients with initially compensated cirrhosis of viral aetiology were followed up at six monthly intervals with laboratory tests to identify major complications (ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, portal-systemic encephalopathy, hepatocellular carcinoma) and to assess the progression of Child's stage and mortality rate due to liver related causes.

Results: Between 1986 and 1996, 312 patients (43 HBV positive, 254 HCV positive, and 15 HBV and HCV coinfected) were included. During a median follow up of 93 (range 14-194) months, 102 (32.6%) patients developed at least one complication (HCV positive 31.1%; HBV positive 34.8%; HBV and HCV coinfected 53.3%). Overall, the most frequent complication was hepatocellular carcinoma which occurred in 65 (20.8%) cases, followed by ascites (61 cases, 19.5%), gastrointestinal bleeding (14 cases, 4.5%), and portal-systemic encephalopathy (six cases, 1.9%). Progression of Child's stage was observed in 62 patients (19.8%). Death from liver disease occurred in 58 (18.6%) cases and in 70.7% this was due to hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatocellular carcinoma was the first complication to develop in 59 cases and represented the most frequent first complication in both HCV and HBV/ HCV related cirrhosis.

Conclusions: These results indicate significant morbidity and mortality during the first decade after diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis due to HBV and/or HCV, and identify hepatocellular carcinoma as the most frequent and life threatening complication, particularly in HCV positive cases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alcoholism / complications
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / etiology
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology
  • Hepatitis B, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / complications*
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Interferon-alpha / therapeutic use
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications*
  • Liver Cirrhosis / virology
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Interferon-alpha