Modification of liver fibrosis, glucose and lipid profile after hepatitis C virus clearance with direct-acting antiviral agents

Introduction: There is little information on whether direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment can improve liver fibrosis or change glucose and lipid profile in patients with chronic hepatitis (CHC). We aimed to evaluate the impact of sustained virologic response (SVR) on liver stiffness, glucose and lipid levels. Methods: 445 monoinfected CHC patients started treatment with interferon-free DAA therapy from January 2015 to February 2017. Transient elastography (TE), fibrosis scores, glucose and lipid levels were analyzed at baseline and 48 weeks post-treatment (SVR48). Results: The SVR rate was 97.7%. Finally, we evaluated 369 patients who achieved SVR and had reliable TE measurements. Median liver stiffness significantly decreased from 9.3 (IQR 7.3-14.3) kPa at baseline to 6.4 (IQR 4.9-8.9) at SVR48 (p < 0.0001). 54.7% of the cohort presented fibrosis regression. Median FIB4 score regressed from 2.0 (IQR 1.1-3.3) to 1.3 (IQR) 0.9-2.0) (p < 0.0001). Median APRI and Forns values significantly decreased from 0.9 (IQR 0.5-1.7) to 0.3 (IQR 0.2-0.4) and from 6.2 (5.0-7.5) to 4.9 (IQR 3.8-5.9) (p< 0.001), respectively. Mean levels of total cholesterol and LDL-C increased from 172 mg/dL and 101.5 mg/dL to 191 mg/dL and 117.5 mg/dL (p< 0.0001), respectively. In the sub-group of patients with pre-diabetes or diabetes, mean glucose levels decreased from 142.7 mg/dL at baseline to 127.2 mg/dL at SVR48 (p <0.001). Discussion: SVR reduces liver stiffness based on TE and fibrosis scores, in patients treated with DAA. Our results show elevated total cholesterol and LDL-C and decreased glucose levels at SVR48. (C) 2020 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.