Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on lifestyle

Abstract

AIM:To evaluate the impact of the diagnosis of hepatitis C infection on lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, sports activity and diet. METHODS:A self-administered, anonymous questionnaire was offered to out-patients with HCV infection consecutively attending three clinical centres in Italy. RESULTS:Of the 275 respondents, 62.2% (171) were male. Mean age was 51 (range 20-80) years. Overall, after the diagnosis of hepatitis C, 74.5% of drinkers had modified (giving up or reducing) alcohol consumption, 21.3% of smokers had modified their habits and 32.3% of subjects who reported sports activity had either stopped or reduced frequency of activity or chose a less fatiguing sport. Sixty-four percent of the respondents reported having modified their diet, most of them on physician's advice. CONCLUSION:After the diagnosis of hepatitis C many patients correctly modified their alcohol consumption and a minority their smoking habits. The reason for reported changes in diet and physical activity needs further investigations.

Frequency of alcohol and smoking cessation counseling inhepatitis C patients among internists and gastroenterologists

“…We read with interest the article by Scognamiglio et al [1] "Impact of hepatitis C virus infection on lifestyle", World J Gastroenterol 2007; 13(19): 2722-2726, which reveals that a greater number of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection could modify their behavior and lifestyle habits with regard to alcohol consumption when compared to tobacco use after the diagnosis of HCV infection. The authors also emphasized the importance of counseling patients about the effects of both tobacco and alcohol use on the liver in patients with HCV infection.…”

“…The authors also emphasized the importance of counseling patients about the effects of both tobacco and alcohol use on the liver in patients with HCV infection. Tobacco use and alcohol consumption alone have been shown to accelerate the progression of hepatitis C toward chronic hepatitis [1][2][3] . Furthermore, multiple studies have shown a synergistic effect of alcohol and tobacco use on the progression of hepatitis C to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1,4] .…”

“…Tobacco use and alcohol consumption alone have been shown to accelerate the progression of hepatitis C toward chronic hepatitis [1][2][3] . Furthermore, multiple studies have shown a synergistic effect of alcohol and tobacco use on the progression of hepatitis C to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1,4] . Independently, tobacco use is also associated with a decreased response to interferon treatment [1,3] .…”

“…Furthermore, multiple studies have shown a synergistic effect of alcohol and tobacco use on the progression of hepatitis C to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1,4] . Independently, tobacco use is also associated with a decreased response to interferon treatment [1,3] . Given the above evidence of lifestyle factors on progression of hepatitis C toward chronic hepatitis or HCC, it is imperative that patients with HCV infection not only receive counseling on alcohol consumption but also on tobacco use.…”

“…It is essential that physicians counsel patients on the effects of both tobacco and alcohol use in the setting of HCV infection [1] . Additionally, the discrepancy between the frequencies of addressing smoking and alcohol cessation in patients with HCV infection by internists and gastroenterologists is interesting.…”