Prevalence of Liver Fibrosis and Progression of Liver Fibrosis

Prevalence of Liver Fibrosis and Progression of Liver Fibrosis in HIV-infected, Hepatitis C (HCV) and Hepatitis B (HBV) Seronegative Patients With Chronic Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Elevation

Little is known about the clinical significance of chronic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation in HIV-infected patients without hepatitis B and C coinfection. Study aim is first to evaluate the prevalence of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in HIV-infected patients with chronic ALT elevation and no chronic viral hepatitis using non-invasive diagnostic tests and second to find associated factors with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis. In a second longitudinal part we intend to assess fibrosis progression within 1 and 3 years.

Inclusion criteria: Case patients:

• HIV-1 infection
• no hepatitis B and C coinfection
• chronic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation after 1.1.2007
• signed informed consent
• no other common cause of liver disease

Control patients:

• HIV-infection
• no hepatitis B and C coinfection
• no ALT elevation after 1.1.2002, the date when ALT values were regularly collected in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS)
• no known chronic liver disease

Exclusion criteria: please see inclusion criteria