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.