Similar progression of fibrosis between HIV/HCV-infected and HCV-infected patients: Analysis of paired liver biopsy samples.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Fibrosis progression might be accelerated in patients who are coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and HCV (HIV/HCV). However, no studies have directly compared fibrosis progression by paired liver biopsy between patients infected with HIV and HCV versus those infected with only HCV.

METHODS

Liver biopsy samples were collected from patients with HIV/HCV (n = 306) and those with HCV; biopsies from 59 without a sustained virologic response (SVR) or cirrhosis were matched with those from patients with only HCV (controls) for initial fibrosis stage, demographics, and HCV treatment. For HIV/HCV patients, categorical variables at baseline and the area under the curve of continuous variables per unit time were analyzed for associations with fibrosis progression.

RESULTS

Liver biopsies from HIV/HCV patients had more piecemeal necrosis than controls (P = .001) and increased lobular inflammation (P = .002); HIV/HCV patients also had shorter intervals between liver biopsies (4.7 vs 5.9 years, P < .0001). Between the first and second biopsies, fibrosis remained unchanged or progressed 1 or 2 units in 55%, 18%, and 18% of HIV/HCV patients, respectively, compared with 45%, 30%, and 9% of controls. The fibrosis progression rate was similar between HIV/HCV and control patients (0.12 ± 0.40 vs 0.091 ± 0.29 units/y; P = .72). In paired biopsies from 66 patients, including those with SVR, there were no associations between fibrosis progression and demographics; numbers of CD4+ T cells; levels of aspartate aminotransferase or alanine aminotransferase; use of highly active antiretroviral therapy; response to HCV therapy (no treatment, SVR, or non-response); baseline levels of FIB-4; or histologic features including inflammation, fibrosis, or steatosis.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of analysis of liver biopsy samples, fibrosis progression was similar between HIV/HCV-infected and HCV-infected patients; no clinical or laboratory parameters predicted disease progression.