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Natural history of compensated viral cirrhosis: a prospective study on the incidence and hierarchy of major complications
  1. L Benvegnù,
  2. M Gios,
  3. S Boccato,
  4. A Alberti
  1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinica Medica 5, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr L Benvegnù
    Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinica Medica 5°, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani, 2-35128, Padova, Italy; luisa.benvegnuunipd.it

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.

  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • cirrhosis
  • viral cirrhosis
  • hepatitis C virus
  • hepatitis B virus
  • HBV, hepatitis B virus
  • HCV, hepatitis C virus
  • HDV, hepatitis D virus
  • US, ultrasound
  • CT, computed tomography
  • MR, magnetic resonance
  • HBsAg, hepatitis B surface antigen
  • ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
  • HCC, hepatocellular carcinoma
  • IFN, interferon

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