Characteristics of the 151 patients at the time of the first biopsy, according to hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype
| HCV genotype | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total (n = 151) | 3 (n = 37) | Non-3 (n = 114) | p Value | |
| *p values are for comparison between genotype 3 and non-3 patients, using χ2 or t tests. | ||||
| IVDU, intravenous drug use; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; MU, million units. | ||||
| Age (y) | 42.9 (11.4) | 34.4 (5.3) | 45.7 (11.7) | <0.0001* |
| Sex (M/F) | 111/40 | 31/6 | 80/34 | NS |
| Source of infection (%) | ||||
| Transfusion | 35.1 | 16 | 41 | |
| IVDU | 26.5 | 65 | 14 | <0.0001* |
| Other or unknown | 38.4 | 19 | 45 | |
| Body mass index (kg/m2) | 23.8 (2.5) (18.5–27.8) | 22.9 (2.3) | 23.9 (2.3) | NS |
| Body mass index >25 kg/m2 (%) | 30.1 | 18.1 | 32.9 | NS |
| Duration of infection (y) (n = 113) | 14.6 (8.8) | 12.1 (4.2) | 15.6 (9.9) | 0.05* |
| Age at exposure (y) (n = 113) | 28.0 (11.5) | 21.7 (4.2) | 31.2 (13.0) | 0.0004* |
| ALT levels (N <45 IU/l) | 136 (90) | 118 (63) | 143 (95) | NS |
| HCV genotype (%) | ||||
| 1 | 59.6 | |||
| 2 | 11.3 | |||
| 3 | 24.5 | |||
| 4 and other | 4.6 | |||
| HCV RNA load (mEq/ml) | 7.0 (8.0) | 9.3 (9.7) | 6.1 (7.7) | NS |
| Histological lesions (Metavir) | ||||
| Activity (%) | ||||
| A0-1 | 29.1 | 22 | 32 | |
| A2 | 64.9 | 70 | 63 | NS |
| A3 | 6.0 | 8 | 5 | |
| Fibrosis (%) | ||||
| F0-1 | 55.0 | 49 | 57 | |
| F2 | 27.1 | 30 | 26 | NS |
| F3-F4 | 17.9 | 21 | 17 | |
| Steatosis (%) | ||||
| Mild (<10% hepatocytes) | 55.0 | 24 | 65 | |
| Moderate (10–30% hepatocytes) | 21.2 | 27 | 19 | <0.0001* |
| Severe (⩾30% hepatocytes) | 23.8 | 49 | 16 | |
| Interferon-alpha therapy | ||||
| Cumulative dose received (MU) | 325 (177) (108–820) | 340 (152) | 288 (162) | NS |
| Duration (months) | 7.6 (3.1) (3–12) | 7.6 (0.7) | 6.7 (2.9) | NS |