Natural history of liver fibrosis progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Liver fibrosis progression at autopsy in injecting drug users infected by hepatitis C: A longitudinal long-term cohort study

“…The median fibrosis progression rate of 0.07 per year observed in this cohort was similar to or lower than reported in other studies of patients with chronic HCV-infection [16][17][18][19][20], but the progression rate was higher than in studies of young females who contracted an HCVinfection accidentally as a result of infected anti-D immunoglobulin in Ireland and Germany [5,21]. In a meta-analysis of the stage-specific fibrosis progression rate in different populations of HCV-patients, the mean progression rate among the IDUs were: F0-F1 0.116, F1-F2 0.085, F2-F3 0.085 and F3-F4 0.130 [20].…”

“…Eighty-one of the fibrosis and F4 = cirrhosis [16]. Inflammatory activity, steatosis and autolysis were also graded on four point scales from 0 to 3.…”

Influence of Cannabis Use on Severity of Hepatitis C Disease

“…The strong recommendation for HCV-infected persons to limit or abstain from alcohol use (18,19) reflects the consistent association between heavy alcohol use and more severe fibrosis and greater risk of cirrhosis (2,(20)(21)(22). Similarly, steatosis has recently been identified as an important factor associated with fibrosis severity (23).…”

“…Understanding the factors that influence disease progression and the development of cirrhosis may provide opportunities for intervention. Male gender, older age at the time of HCV infection, duration of HCV infection, heavy alcohol consumption and coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have been identified as risk factors for fibrosis progression (2)(3)(4)(5) Cannabis (Cannabis sativa) has a long history of use for medicinal and recreational purposes and is commonly used throughout the world (6). Cannabis is the source of over 60 cannabinoid compounds, including δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (δ 9 -THC), which is primarily responsible for the psychoactive effects of the plant (7).…”

Single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes in the IL10 region associated with HCV clearance

“…9 Within 10 years, some of the fibrosis patients will develop cirrhosis, while some others will not have notable liver disease during their lifetime. 10 A number of studies have indicated the possibility of a positive association between HCV disease outcome and genetic polymorphisms. For example, many immunological proteins may play a role in the response to HCV antiviral treatment: in particular, interferons (IFNs), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), cytokines, and chemokines.…”