Z Gastroenterol 2017; 55(05): e28-e56
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1603406
Hepatologie
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Liver fibrosis assessment and treatment initiation within a systematic screening program among HIV/HIV-coinfected patients

D Chromy
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
P Schwabl
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
T Bucsics
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
B Scheiner
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
R Strassl
3   Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
F Mayer
3   Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
M Aichelburg
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
4   Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
K Grabmeier-Pfistershammer
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
4   Division of Immunology, Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
M Trauner
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
M Peck-Radosavljevic
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
T Reiberger
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
,
M Mandorfer
1   Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
2   Vienna HIV & Liver Study Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
16 May 2017 (online)

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Background & Aim:

HCV therapy should be considered without delay in all patients with significant (SIGFIB) or advanced liver fibrosis (ADVFIB). We aimed to investigate whether FIB-4 index is a valid screening tool for the identification of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients (HIV/HCV) with SIGFIB or ADVFIB. Moreover, we assessed the rate of treatment initiation with IFN-free regimens within this screening program.

Methods:

FIB-4 was calculated in all HIV/HCV from 2014 – 2016. HIV/HCV were counseled by the HIV clinic and referred to the HIV&Liver clinic of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology for liver fibrosis assessment by transient elastography (TE) and evaluation for HCV therapy. Patients were stratified according to a FIB-4 of 1.45 (established cut-off for ruling out ADVFIB). SIGFIB/ADVFIB were defined by liver stiffness > 7.1kPa/> 9.5kPa, respectively.

Results:

Among 1348 HIV+ patients, 16%(210/1348) had detectable serum HCV-RNA. The majority of HIV/HCV (57%) had HCV-genotype 1 (1a: 74%/1b: 26%), while HCV-genotypes 2, 3, and 4 were observed in 2%, 31%, and 10% of patients.

One hundred HIV/HCV had a FIB-4 index ≥1.45. Among these, 57%(57/100) underwent TE. The majority of these patients had SIGFIB (75%; 43/57) or ADVFIB (37%; 21/57), however, interferon-free treatments were initiated in only 56%(24/43).

In addition, fifty-two percent (57/110) of HIV/HCV with FIB-4 index < 1.45 underwent TE. Interestingly, 40%(23/57) and 18%(10/57) of these patients showed SIGFIB or even ADVFIB, respectively, and 78%(18/23) finally received interferon-free treatment.

Overall, only 20%(42/210) of HIV/HCV received interferon-free treatment.

Conclusion:

FIB-4 was not useful for ruling out ADVFIB in our cohort of HIV/HCV. Treatment was initiated only in a small proportion of HIV/HCV during the first two years of IFN-free treatment availability, although the observed proportion of patients with SIGFIB (assessed by TE) was considerably higher (58%). Thus, it requires the ongoing combined efforts of both HIV and HCV specialists to increase treatment uptake rates in this special population.