1. Weight Gain after Interferon-Free Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C—Results from the German Hepatitis C-Registry (DHC-R)
- Author
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Schlevogt, Bernhard, Boeker, Klaus H. W., Mauss, Stefan, Klinker, Hartwig, Heyne, Renate, Link, Ralph, Simon, Karl-Georg, Sarrazin, Christoph, Serfert, Yvonne, Manns, Michael P., Wedemeyer, Heiner, and C-Registry, German Hepatitis German Hepatitis
- Subjects
chronic hepatitis C ,weight gain ,HCV cure ,German Hepatitis C-Registry ,direct-acting antivirals ,interferon-free - Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C can be treated very effectively with direct-acting antivirals (DAA) with only minor side effects compared to an interferon-containing treatment regimen. The significance of metabolic comorbidities after HCV cure is not well defined. This study aims to investigate short- and long-term weight change of patients receiving interferon-free antiviral treatment for chronic hepatitis C. The German Hepatitis C-registry (DHC-R) is a national multicenter real-world cohort. A total of 5111 patients were followed prospectively after DAA treatment for up to 3 years. Weight change compared to baseline was analyzed at end of treatment and at years 1, 2, and 3 after completion of antiviral therapy. Regression analysis was performed to identify baseline predictors for weight change. While there was no relevant mean weight change (−0.2 kg, SD 4.3 kg) at the end of antiviral treatment, weight started to increase during long-term follow-up reaching +1.7 kg (SD 8.0 kg, p <, 0.001) compared to baseline at 3 years (follow-up year 3, FU3) after completion of antiviral therapy. 48%, 31%, and 22% of patients had a weight gain greater than 1, 3, and 5 kg at FU3, respectively. During follow-up, a body mass index (BMI) <, 30 proved to be the only consistent predictor for weight gain. DAA treatment is followed by a substantial weight gain (+3 kg or more) in one-third of the patients during long-term follow-up. Non-obese patients seemed to be most vulnerable to weight gain. The body compartment involved in weight gain as well as the mechanism of weight gain remain to be elucidated.
- Published
- 2021
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