P-42 OBESITY AND ANTI-HBC IGG POSITIVITY INCREASE THE RISK OF HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA IN A COHORT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS C PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY OUTPATIENT CLINIC IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) still affects millions of people around the world despite the recent development of very effective direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment. Even after a high cure rate, patients with advanced fibrosis should remain under surveillance due to the high risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma development in previously treated chronic HCV patients in an outpatient hepatology clinic at Clinic Hospital of the University of São Paulo of School Medicine in the city of São Paulo. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective, observational and descriptive study of a series of cases in which 410 HCV patients were treated with three different antiviral regiments: Interferon plus Ribavirin (INF + RBV) or Protease Inhibitors (PI) or DAA, were followed for up to ten years (2011-2021). Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were obtained for electronic medical records. Results: the total sample of this study consists of 402 patients. Table 1 shows the patient demographic and clinical data. Of the 35 patients who developed HCC, 26 (74%) had F4-degree fibrosis. Logistic regression model was performed with the following variables: BMI (p=0.005), positive anti-HBC IgG (p=0.015), combination fibrosis and CHIILD-PUGH score A (p=0.001), B (p=0.012) and C(p< 0.001). Conclusions: In our cohort, obesity and anti-HBc IgG were significantly associated with a high risk of developing HCC. The type of antiviral treatment (IFN or DAA-based) was not associated with the risk of HCC.