Clinical and epidemiological analysis of hepatitis C liver transplantation in Espírito Santo - Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a high prevalence disease that can evolve to cirrhosis and to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), being considered an important cause of liver transplant. Objectives: trace the epidemiologic and clinical profile of transplanted patients with HCV cirrhosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical records of patients with HCV that performed liver transplants in a Hospital in Grande Vitória, in the state of Espírito Santo (Brazil) between the years of 2008 and 2020. The variables researched were number of transplants, gender, age, comorbidities, association with hepatitis B and HCC. Results: Of 359 transplants performed in that period, 61 (17%) were from patients with HCV. Of these, 62% also had another cause for cirrhosis, such as alcoholic hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and hepatitis B virus (HBV). The average age was 55 years, with a clear predominance of males (77%). Twenty one patients (34,34%) evolved with HCC. The number of deaths was 21 (34,42%). The average number of HCV transplants over the years was 4.69 transplants/year. Thirty-five patients presented some comorbidity, the most common being diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension and smoking. There has been a slight reduction in the number of HCV transplants over the years. Conclusion: The HCV liver transplants were more prevalent in males, with average age of 55 years, and most patients had another associated disease. Furthermore, there was a reduction in the number of transplants, which could be explained by the use of the new antiviral therapy in the treatment of HCV.