Key result
Following direct-acting antiviral therapy, ~72% of chronic hepatitis C patients exhibit medium-to-high Framingham risk.
Why the study?
The future outcomes and health needs of chronic hepatitis C patients after receiving direct-acting antiviral therapy, particularly regarding health promotion and cardiometabolic risks in rural settings, were not well studied.
What is the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and health-promoting behaviors in chronic hepatitis C patients after completing direct-acting antiviral therapy?
Cross-Sectional (n=124)
What is the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and health-promoting behaviors in chronic hepatitis C patients after completing direct-acting antiviral therapy?
Chronic hepatitis C patients who have completed DAA therapy exhibit a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors, highlighting the need for targeted lifestyle modification and primary care follow-up.
High cardiometabolic risk persists post-DAA in hepatitis C; leaves open whether integrated screening improves outcomes pending prospective data.
AIMS: To study the future outcomes and health needs of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients after receiving direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy based on the health promotion perspectives and cardiometabolic risks in a rural setting. DESIGN: This cross-sectional study was conducted from May to December 2019 in coastal western and southern Taiwan. METHODS: We included CHC patients who were diagnosed and transferred by the gastroenterologist and hepatologist in outpatient clinics and completed DAA treatments. Data on demographic characteristics, health-related behaviours and physiological biomarkers were collected through one-on-one interview using a questionnaire and from medical records obtained from a teaching hospital. RESULTS: In total, 124 participants were enrolled. Most participants (87.1%) had no side effects and 79.8% felt satisfied after treatment. However, 62.1% had metabolic syndrome, 48.4% had hypertension and 37.9% had diabetes. Furthermore, 71.8% patients were considered to have medium-to-high risk based on Framingham risk scores. In the multiple regression model, after adjusting for education level, other chronic diseases were negatively associated with health-promoting behaviours in participants. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were few side effects and most patients were satisfied after treatment, there was a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and cardiometabolic diseases and less adoption of healthy behaviours in CHC patients. Despite the small sample size, the study suggests that clinicians can reduce the burden of the aforementioned comorbidities by providing adequate treatment and individualized lifestyle modification. IMPACT: This study highlights that primary healthcare providers should consider the health needs of CHC patients after DAA treatment since many patients have high cardiometabolic risks, but only a few adopt a healthy lifestyle. Further studies are needed to initiate health-promoting programs for these patients to reduce further injury to vital organs.
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Hsiao et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in chronic hepatitis C (n=124). Completed direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy was evaluated on Cardiometabolic risks and health-promoting behaviours. Following direct-acting antiviral therapy, 62.1% of chronic hepatitis C patients had metabolic syndrome, 48.4% had hypertension, and 71.8% had medium-to-high Framingham risk scores.
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