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Changes in liver function and body composition by direct‐acting antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection
Author(s) -
Sugimoto Ryosuke,
Iwasa Motoh,
Hara Nagisa,
Tamai Yasuyuki,
Yoshikawa Kyoko,
Ogura Suguru,
Tanaka Hideaki,
Eguchi Akiko,
Yamamoto Norihiko,
Kobayashi Yoshinao,
Hasegawa Hiroshi,
Takei Yoshiyuki
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/hepr.12999
Subject(s) - bioelectrical impedance analysis , medicine , liver function , skeletal muscle , gastroenterology , cirrhosis , albumin , sarcopenia , combination therapy , body mass index , liver function tests
Aim Management of low skeletal muscle mass (LSM) is a very important topic as LSM affects patient mortality in liver diseases. Changes in body composition are unexplored in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, including those with liver cirrhosis, who receive direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) therapy. Body composition measurements and liver function tests were carried out before and after DAA therapy. Methods Blood examination, visceral fat area (VFA) and extremity skeletal muscle mass were measured using the multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis method: (i) at 24 weeks before DAA therapy; (ii) at the start of DAA therapy; (iii) at the end of DAA therapy; (iv) at 24 weeks after DAA therapy; and (v) at 48 weeks after DAA therapy. Results Serum albumin (Alb) levels were significantly increased at 48 weeks post DAA therapy, especially in patients with LSM. Skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was significantly increased after DAA therapy (at 24 weeks and 48 weeks post DAA therapy) in patients with LSM ( P < 0.05). An increase in SMI was associated with an increase in body weight or a decrease in VFA. Conclusions We continuously measured body composition in HCV‐infected patients who received DAA therapy and found that skeletal muscle mass was significantly increased, associated with an elevation of serum Alb levels and/or body weight or reduction in VFA, but only in patients who presented with LSM before DAA therapy.