Browsing by Author "Terzic, Dragica (15835708300)"

Aim: To investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes in Serbia and Montenegro and their influence on some clinical characteristics in patients with chronic HCV infection. Methods: A total of 164 patients was investigated. Complete history route of infection, assessment of alcohol consumption, an abdominal ultrasound, standard biochemical tests and liver biopsy were done. Gene sequencing of 5′ NTR type-specific PCR or commercial kits was performed for HCV genotyping and subtyping. The SPSS for Windows (version 10.0) was used for univariate regression analysis with further multivariate analysis. Results: The genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 1b3a and 1b4 were present in 57.9%, 3.7%, 23.2%, 6.7%, 6.7% and 1.8% of the patients, respectively. The genotype 1 (mainly the subtype 1b) was found to be independent of age in subjects older than 40 years, high viral load, more severe necro-inflammatory activity, advanced stage of fibrosis, and absence of intravenous drug abuse. The genotype 3a was associated with intravenous drug abuse and the age below 40. Multivariate analysis demonstrated age over 40 and intravenous drug abuse as the positive predictive factors for the genotypes lb and 3a, respectively. Conclusion: In Serbia and Montenegro, the genotypes 1b and 3a predominate in patients with chronic HCV infection. The subtype lb is characteristic of older patients, while the genotype 3a is common in drug abusers. Association of the subtype lb with advanced liver disease, higher viral load and histological activity suggests earlier infection with this genotype and eventually its increased pathogenicity. © 2007 The WJG Press. All rights reserved.

Background & Aim. Quality of life may be reduced in patients with chronic liver diseases. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of chronic viral liver disease on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Patients and methods. Quality of life was prospectively investigated in 227 patients with chronic viral liver disease and 75 controls. The generic Short Form 12 questionnaire was applied to measure the HRQOL. Mental and physical component scores were expressed as numeric and categorical values (presence/absence of disability). The electronic database (SPSS for Windows) was used for statistical analysis with 95% confidence intervals. Results. Mental and physical numeric and categorical scores for the absence of disability were significantly worse in patients compared with controls. Patients were a negative predictive factor for the absence of disability on both mental and physical components while the physical component was the significant factor in multivariate regression analysis (p =0.000). There was no difference in HRQOL scores among patients with hepatitis C or B virus infection. Mental and physical numeric scores were lower in patients with cirrhosis. Liver cirrhosis predicted lower components of the absence of disability in comparison to chronic hepatitis more influencing the physical component (p =0.003). Conclusions. Chronic viral liver disease reduces and predicts a lower quality of life in comparison to a healthy population impairing more the physical component. Hepatitis viruses do not influence differently the quality of life. Liver cirrhosis has a higher negative impact on the quality of life than chronic hepatitis, especially relating to a physical component.