Journal
HISTOPATHOLOGY
Volume 61, Issue 3, Pages 473-487Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2559.2012.04249.x
Keywords
antiviral therapy; chronic hepatitis C; fibrosis regression; parenchymal remodelling; sustained virological response
Categories
Funding
- Axcan Pharma
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Bristol-Myers Squib
- Debio Pharma
- Gilead Sciences
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Hoffman-LaRoche
- Human Genome Sciences
- Intercept Pharm
- Merck
- Tibotec
- Vertex
- National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia
- University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Aims: A fall in hepatic fibrosis stage may be observed in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC); however, parenchymal architectural changes may also signify hepatic remodelling associated with fibrosis regression. The aim of this study was to utilize semiquantitative and qualitative methods to report the prevalence and factors associated with fibrosis regression in CHC. Methods and results: Paired liver biopsies were scored for fibrosis (Ishak), and for the presence of eight qualitative features of parenchymal remodelling, to derive a qualitative regression score (QR score). Combined fibrosis regression was defined as =2-stage fall in Ishak stage (Reg-I) or <2-stage fall in Ishak stage with a rise in QR score (Reg-Qual). Among 159 patients (biopsy interval 5.4 +/- 3.1 years), Reg-I was observed in 12 (7.5%) and Reg-Qual in 26 (16.4%) patients. The combined diagnostic criteria increased the diagnosis rate for fibrosis regression (38 patients, 23.9%) compared with use of Reg-I alone (P < 0.001). Combined fibrosis regression was observed in nine patients (50%) who achieved sustained virological response (SVR), and in 29 of 141 (21%) patients despite persistent viraemia. SVR was the only clinical factor associated independently with combined fibrosis regression (odds ratio 3.05). Conclusions: The combination of semiquantitative measures and qualitative features aids the identification of fibrosis regression in CHC.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available