Volume 50, Issue 5 e13231
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Course of oesophageal varices and performance of noninvasive predictors following Hepatitis C Virus clearance in compensated advanced chronic liver disease

Edoardo G. Giannini

Corresponding Author

Edoardo G. Giannini

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

Correspondence

Edoardo G. Giannini, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Genoa, Viale Benedetto XV, no.6, Genoa 16132, Italy.

Email: [email protected]

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Costanza De Maria

Costanza De Maria

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Mattia Crespi

Mattia Crespi

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Maria Giulia Demarzo

Maria Giulia Demarzo

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Valentina Fazio

Valentina Fazio

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, Savona, Italy

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Alessandro Grasso

Alessandro Grasso

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, San Paolo Hospital, Savona, Italy

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Francesco Torre

Francesco Torre

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Giorgia Bodini

Giorgia Bodini

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Elisa Marabotto

Elisa Marabotto

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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Manuele Furnari

Manuele Furnari

Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, IRCCS–Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy

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First published: 14 April 2020
Citations: 11

Abstract

Background

In patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) and compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD), there is evidence that sustained virological response (SVR) to direct-acting antivirals (DAA) may ameliorate portal hypertension, although both the course of oesophageal varices and the performance of their noninvasive predictors following DAA-induced SVR are less defined. In this study, our aim was to assess the variation in oesophageal varices status in HCV patients with cACLD who obtained an SVR to DAAs and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of noninvasive predictors of varices after HCV cure.

Material and methods

Sixty-three HCV patients with cACLD and SVR to DAAs were prospectively followed up, and oesophageal varices surveillance was carried out according to the Baveno VI indications. Appearance and disappearance of varices, accuracy performance of their noninvasive predictors (Baveno/expanded Baveno VI criteria, platelet count/spleen diameter ratio) and number of endoscopies spared with their application were calculated.

Results

Following SVR, varices developed or disappeared in 12.1% and 17.4% of patients, respectively. The negative predictive value for varices of the Baveno VI, expanded Baveno VI criteria and platelet count/spleen diameter ratio following SVR was 88.2% (65.6-96.7), 83.3% (66.3-92.7) and 80.7% (67.1-89.5), respectively. Their application would have saved 30.4%, 42.9% and 55.4% of endoscopies, with no varices needing treatment missed using both Baveno VI criteria.

Conclusions

In HCV patients with cACLD, following SVR to DAA, the expanded Baveno VI criteria provide the best balance between utility (diagnostic accuracy and endoscopies avoided) and safety (varices needing treatment missed) for varices surveillance.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

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