Volume 25, Issue 4 pp. 1028-1031

Original Article

Free Access

Long-term evolution of fibrosis from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C: Morphometric analysis of repeated biopsies

M Kage,

M Kage

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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K Shimamatu,

K Shimamatu

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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E Nakashima,

E Nakashima

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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M Kojiro,

M Kojiro

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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O Inoue,

O Inoue

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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M Yano,

M Yano

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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M Kage,

M Kage

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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K Shimamatu,

K Shimamatu

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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E Nakashima,

E Nakashima

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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M Kojiro,

M Kojiro

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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O Inoue,

O Inoue

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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M Yano,

M Yano

First Department of Pathology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, Japan

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First published: 30 December 2003

https://doi.org/10.1002/hep.510250439

Citations: 91

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Abstract

To clarify the characteristics of fibrosis developed in the process from chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis, a morphometric analysis of liver biopsy samples was conducted on 25 chronic hepatitis C patients and 20 chronic hepatitis B patients (controls). Hepatitis C patients were followed up for 3 to 23 years. The mean number of liver biopsies performed on these patients was 3.8. Each biopsy was evaluated for the degree of fibrosis by using two methods: a semiquantitative method with a staging scoring system, and morphometry using a computed image analysis system. A significant correlation was observed between the Stage and the area of fibrosis (AF = the ratio of the area of fibrosis to that of the entire tissue specimen). The AF in cirrhosis was significantly higher in hepatitis C patients than in hepatitis B patients. The ratio of AF in the last biopsy sample to AF in the initial biopsy sample was significantly higher in hepatitis C patients than in hepatitis B patients. Evolution from chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis occurred more frequently in patients aged ≥ 50 years, and this time period was 1.8 times shorter than that in patients aged < 50 years. AF in the initial biopsy related significantly to the period of evolution from chronic hepatitis C to cirrhosis. AF in the initial biopsy might be a predictive factor for prognosis.

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Volume25, Issue4

April 1997

Pages 1028-1031

Long-term evolution of fibrosis from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C: Morphometric analysis of repeated biopsies

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Long-term evolution of fibrosis from chronic hepatitis to cirrhosis in patients with hepatitis C: Morphometric analysis of repeated biopsies

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