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Decreased anti‐hepatitis C virus titer and associated factors in chronic hepatitis C patients after sustained virological response: A prospective study
Author(s) -
Kee KwongMing,
Wang JingHoung,
Hung ChaoHung,
Chen ChienHung,
Lee ChuangMo,
Chang KuoChin,
Tseng PoLin,
Yen YiHao,
Lin ChihYun,
Lu ShengNan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06946.x
Subject(s) - medicine , gastroenterology , titer , odds ratio , confidence interval , regimen , hepatitis c virus , prospective cohort study , hepatitis c , immunology , antibody , virus
Background and Aim: Long‐term trends of anti‐hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody titer and their associated factors in patients with sustained virological response (SVR) were investigated. Methods: From May 1999 to July 2005, a total of 166 SVR consecutive patients (M/F: 86/80) were enrolled. Anti‐HCV titer, samples to cut‐off (S/CO) ratios, were measured with AxSYM HCV version 3.0. Their S/CO ratios were followed every 6 months after SVR and the patterns over time were identified by trajectory analyses. Changes of recombinant immunoblot assay (RIBA) pattern before treatment and end of follow‐up were compared ( n = 64). Results: The mean duration of follow‐up was 4.7 ± 1.5 years (median 4.3; range 3–9 years). The rates of S/CO ratios decreased annually ( P < 0.001). Two of them (1.2%) achieved seroreversion. Trajectory groups included lower pretreatment S/CO ratios (LAB, n = 83), rapid decrease (RD, n = 62) and slow decrease (SD, n = 21) groups. Comparing LAB to RD group, odds ratio (OR) of increased platelet count per 1 unit and interferon regimen was 1.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.20) and 2.17 (95% CI 1.04–4.52) respectively. Comparing SD to LAB and RD groups, the OR of advanced fibrotic stage, using mild fibrotic stage as a reference, was 4.33 (95% CI 1.49–12.63). Reaction strength of all four RIBA bands decreased significantly at the end of follow‐up. Conclusions: Anti‐HCV titers decreased annually during long‐term follow‐up after SVR. Higher pretreatment platelet count, interferon regimen and mild fibrosis were associated with decreased anti‐HCV titers. However, only a few cases achieved seroreversion. All RIBA bands decreased significantly after long‐term follow‐up.