Impact of Hepatitis C Virus Clearance on Cardiovascular Risk: A Real-World Experience From the Nationwide Taiwan Hepatitis C Virus Registry.
Journal
The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
ISSN
2410-8650
Date Issued
2025-05-24
Author(s)
Hu, Ping-Jen
Tsai, Pei-Chien
Chen, Chi-Yi
Kuo, Hsing-Tao
Hung, Chao-Hung
Tseng, Kuo-Chih
Lai, Hsueh-Chou
Peng, Cheng-Yuan
Wang, Jing-Houng
Chen, Jyh-Jou
Lee, Pei-Lun
Chien, Rong-Nan
Yang, Chi-Chieh
Lo, Gin-Ho
Liu, Chen-Hua
Yan, Sheng-Lei
Lin, Chun-Yen
Su, Wei-Wen
Chu, Cheng-Hsin
Chen, Chih-Jen
Tung, Shui-Yi
Tai, Chi-Ming
Lin, Chih-Wen
Lo, Ching-Chu
Cheng, Pin-Nan
Chiu, Yen-Cheng
Wang, Chia-Chi
Cheng, Jin-Shiung
Tsai, Wei-Lun
Lin, Han-Chieh
Huang, Yi-Hsiang
Yeh, Ming-Lun
Huang, Chung-Feng
Hsieh, Meng-Hsuan
Huang, Jee-Fu
Dai, Chia-Yen
Chung, Wan-Long
Wang, Yen-Hsiange
Yu, Ming-Lung
Bair, Ming-Jong
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD); however, the impact of interferon (IFN)-based therapy on cardiovascular outcomes remains unclear. This nationwide cohort study included 7411 patients with HCV from The Taiwanese Chronic Hepatitis C Cohort registry who received IFN-based therapy between 2003 and 2014. Patients were categorized into sustained virological response (SVR) (n = 5785) and non-SVR (n = 1676) groups. The incidence of new-onset CVD events, including stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia, was assessed using three Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for different sets of confounding factors. The cumulative CVD incidence was comparable in the SVR and non-SVR groups (11.2% vs. 10.2%, p = 0.609). SVR was not significantly associated with a reduced overall CVD risk among the three models [hazards ratio (HR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-1.05, p = 0.158]. However, a lower risk of stroke was observed in patients who achieved an SVR, although the difference was not significant (HR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94). The results of the sensitivity analyses confirmed these findings. An SVR following IFN-based therapy did not substantially reduce the overall CVD risk; however, a potential reduction in stroke risk was observed. These results emphasize the importance of long-term cardiovascular risk assessments and highlight the need for further research, particularly in the direct-acting antiviral era in which increased cardiovascular benefits may be expected.
Subjects
cardiovascular disease
hepatitis C
interferon therapy
stroke
sustained virologic response
SDGs
Type
journal article