Factors Affecting Liver Fibrosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-And Hepatitis C Virus-Coinfected Patients: Impact of Protease Inhibitor Therapy

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver fibrosis progression is accelerated in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-

Clinical laboratory assessment of hepatitis C and HIV coinfected patients according to the antiretroviral therapy received

“…Populations of HIV/HCV coinfection studies are predominantly young; the populations involved in studies conducted in Spain, France and Italy were 40 years old or below 4,6,13 . The population included in this study was in average 41 years old.…”

Influence of Cannabis Use on Severity of Hepatitis C Disease

“…Understanding the factors that influence disease progression and the development of cirrhosis may provide opportunities for intervention. Male gender, older age at the time of HCV infection, duration of HCV infection, heavy alcohol consumption and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been identified as risk factors for fibrosis progression (2)(3)(4)(5) Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) has a long history of use for medicinal and recreational purposes and is commonly used throughout the world (6). Cannabis is the source of over 60 cannabinoid compounds, including δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (δ 9 -THC), which is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant (7).…”

Fast Fibrosis Progression Between Repeated Liver Biopsies in Patients Coinfected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Hepatitis C Virus†

“…5 Most data on liver fibrosis progression in HIV and HCV coinfection come from cross-sectional studies that relied on a single liver biopsy. [6][7][8][9][10][11] In those studies, the date of HCV infection is usually estimated as the date of the first use of injection drugs. At HCV infection, it is assumed that liver fibrosis is absent.…”

“…These assumptions are probably one reason for the conflicting results of those studies, especially regarding the effect of ART on fibrosis progression. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Serial liver biopsy studies may have some advantages over single liver biopsy studies. Changes in fibrosis stage are observed between two dates, and fibrosis at the initial date is known.…”