Assessment of carotid atherosclerosis in Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients after treatment by direct-acting antiviral drugs

Background Recent studies suggested association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and cardiovascular disorders, including carotid atherosclerosis with evidence of an effect of HCV clearance on carotid atherosclerosis. Objectives We aimed to evaluate the impact of direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on carotid atherosclerosis. Subjects and methods This is a prospective cohort study that was carried out in Internal Medicine and Hepatology Department, and outpatient clinics of the Ain Shams University hospitals included 80 Egyptian patients with chronic HCV infection who started treatment in the form of IFN-free DAA-based regimen and completed the course of treatment and 6-month follow-up period. All patients were subjected to detailed history taking, full physical examination, full laboratory investigations, radiological assessment by abdominal ultrasonography, and high-resolution B-mode ultrasonography of both the common carotid arteries. Results The mean age of cases was 58.13 +/- 7.56 years, 49 (61.25%) males and 31 (38.75%) females. IMT was significantly decreased after treatment 1.24 versus 1.57 mm p < 0.001. The number of patients with IMT >= 1 mm was significantly decreased after 6 months 45 (56.3%) versus 57 (71.3%). There was significant positive correlation between baseline carotid IMT and age, BMI, bilirubin, INR, CTP score, carotid plaques, and total cholesterol. Meanwhile, there was significant negative correlation between baseline carotid IMT and hemoglobin, platelets, albumin, and HDL. In patients who achieved SVR, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and HDL were significantly increased after treatment. IMT was significantly lower in SVR group compared to non-SVR group (p = 0.016). Conclusion Hepatitis C virus eradication by DAAs improves carotid atherosclerosis by decreasing carotid intima-media thickening.