The Interplay of Chronic Hepatitis C and COVID-19: Implications for Prognosis and Treatment

Abstract

Introduction Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) remains a significant public health concern due to both hepatic and extrahepatic manifestations associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 has raised concerns about the outcomes of COVID-19 in CHC patients. Method We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with CHC and SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to a tertiary care hospital between 2020 and 2023. We performed a global analysis of the entire batch of patients and, later, we evaluated the patients according to the severity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection Results The cohort included 89 patients (63 females, 26 males) with a median age of 65 years. Most patients were hospitalized in 2021. Common clinical manifestations included fever, cough, digestive symptoms, and headache. The most frequent comorbidities were renal disease, thyroid disorders, and cancer. Univariate logistic regression analysis identified older age, hospitalization in 2021, and respiratory failure as risk factors for severe COVID-19. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels were also associated with an increased risk of severe COVID-19. Regarding CHC, detectable hepatitis C virus viremia was associated with more severe liver disease (p<0.01). Conclusion Patients with CHC and SARS-CoV-2 infection have a substantial risk of severe outcomes. Early identification and management of these patients are crucial to improve their prognosis.