In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS ...In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Compared to the general population, HIV-infected patients are about 10-times at risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Additionally, several antiretroviral regimens are hepatotoxic. Therefore, effective monitoring and management of ART and HBV co-infection are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. This was a hospital-based, matched (age and sex) case-control study. HIV patients (case patients) on ART for at least six months and “healthy” controls aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for immuno-hematologic indices and transaminases measurements. Data were presented as counts, percentages, median (IQR) and means (SD), and a p-value 1.5) and mild (0.6 - 1.5) liver fibrosis based on the APRI score was 0.5% and 8%, respectively. Significant fibrosis (>3.25) was 0.9%, while 18.4% had inconclusive fibrosis (1.45 - 3.25) based on the FIB-4 score. HIV/HBV co-infected patients had a higher occurrence of liver fibrosis (APRI: 0.5% vs FIB-4: 0.9%). Co-infections with HBV increase the risk of liver-related morbidity in HIV patients. Therefore, screening for serological markers of chronic HBV infection and hepatic transaminase levels in HIV patients remains crucial in the continuum of care.展开更多
文摘In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Compared to the general population, HIV-infected patients are about 10-times at risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Additionally, several antiretroviral regimens are hepatotoxic. Therefore, effective monitoring and management of ART and HBV co-infection are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. This was a hospital-based, matched (age and sex) case-control study. HIV patients (case patients) on ART for at least six months and “healthy” controls aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for immuno-hematologic indices and transaminases measurements. Data were presented as counts, percentages, median (IQR) and means (SD), and a p-value 1.5) and mild (0.6 - 1.5) liver fibrosis based on the APRI score was 0.5% and 8%, respectively. Significant fibrosis (>3.25) was 0.9%, while 18.4% had inconclusive fibrosis (1.45 - 3.25) based on the FIB-4 score. HIV/HBV co-infected patients had a higher occurrence of liver fibrosis (APRI: 0.5% vs FIB-4: 0.9%). Co-infections with HBV increase the risk of liver-related morbidity in HIV patients. Therefore, screening for serological markers of chronic HBV infection and hepatic transaminase levels in HIV patients remains crucial in the continuum of care.