Acute Kidney Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Analysis of Viral and Non-viral Factors.

Background Multiple studies have shown a relationship between chronic hepatitis C infection and chronic kidney disease. The prevalence, severity, underlying etiologies and predictors of acute kidney dysfunction (AKD) events in patients with hepatitis C has not been studied. Methods We investigated viral and non-viral factors in the development renal dysfunction in 468 HCV patients retrospectively over a period of observation ranging from 3 months to 6 yrs. Results A total of 124 AKD events occurred in 63 patients. On regression analysis; gender, race, alcohol abuse, HIV (Human immune deficiency virus) status, body mass index, baseline viral load (HCV–PCR), and genotype did not predict an event of AKD. Decompensated liver disease, history of IVDU, diabetes mellitus and baseline creatinine were independent predictors of AKD. Conclusion Development of AKD in patient with hepatitis C virus infection is independent of the genotype and viral load at baseline and is mostly predisposed by known prevalent factors in patients with hepatitis C such as diabetes, hypertension and intravenous drug use. Decompensated liver disease is the single most viral-related factor that predisposes for AKD.