Prognostic factors in patients with hematological malignancies and concomitant chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

The study evaluated the impact of HCV infection on the prognosis in patients with hematological malignancies. A total of 96 patients with anti-HCV antibodies were enrolled, with the age of 37.8 (3.0–81.0) years old, 39.6% had non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) was diagnosed in 46.9% patients prior to malignancy development, in 38.5% patients simultaneously with malignancy, and in 14.6% patients during malignancy treatment. Clinical and biochemical signs of HCH were mild in most of the patients, minimal liver fibrosis (F0–1 by METAVIR system) was discovered in 47.3% patients, severe fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3–4) was diagnosed in 40% of participants. Only 20 (20.8%) of patients received antiviral therapy against HCV prior to enrollment. Regression analysis demonstrated that age 55 years old, late onset of antiviral therapy, and poor nutritional status were significant predictors of death from hematological malignancy. Survey conducted among physicians of hematological oncology hospitals in Saint-Petersburg revealed gaps in knowledge on presentation and risks of HCV infection, as well as on opportunities of modern antiviral therapy.