Journal
BIOMEDICINES
Volume 9, Issue 10, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9101495
Keywords
chronic hepatitis C; direct-acting antivirals; interferon-free; HCV cure; weight gain; German Hepatitis C-Registry
Categories
Funding
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH Co. KG
- Gilead Sciences GmbH
- MSD Sharp Dohme GmbH
- Bristol-Myers Squibb GmbH Co.
- KGaA
- Janssen-Cilag GmbH
- Roche Pharma AG
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The study indicates that patients receiving interferon-free antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C experience significant weight gain during long-term follow-up, with non-obese patients being more vulnerable to weight gain. A body mass index (BMI) < 30 was the only consistent predictor for weight gain, suggesting that non-obese individuals are more likely to gain weight after DAA treatment.
Chronic hepatitis C can be treated very effectively with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) with only minor side effects compared to an interferon-containing treatment regimen. The significance of metabolic comorbidities after HCV cure is not well defined. This study aims to investigate short- and long-term weight change of patients receiving interferon-free antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C. The German Hepatitis C-registry (DHC-R) is a national multicenter real-world cohort. A total of 5111 patients were followed prospectively after DAA treatment for up to 3 years. Weight change compared to baseline was analyzed at end of treatment and at years 1, 2, and 3 after completion of antiviral therapy. Regression analysis was performed to identify baseline predictors for weight change. While there was no relevant mean weight change (-0.2 kg, SD 4.3 kg) at the end of antiviral treatment, weight started to increase during long-term follow-up reaching +1.7 kg (SD 8.0 kg, p < 0.001) compared to baseline at 3 years (follow-up year 3, FU3) after completion of antiviral therapy. 48%, 31%, and 22% of patients had a weight gain greater than 1, 3, and 5 kg at FU3, respectively. During follow-up, a body mass index (BMI) < 30 proved to be the only consistent predictor for weight gain. DAA treatment is followed by a substantial weight gain (+3 kg or more) in one-third of the patients during long-term follow-up. Non-obese patients seemed to be most vulnerable to weight gain. The body compartment involved in weight gain as well as the mechanism of weight gain remain to be elucidated.
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