Published online Oct 27, 2013. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v5.i10.584
Revised: August 31, 2013
Accepted: September 18, 2013
Published online: October 27, 2013
Processing time: 195 Days and 3.9 Hours
AIM: To study the prevalence and risk factors of significant hepatic fibrosis in Moroccan human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) monoinfected patients.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV monoinfected patients (negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis C antibody). Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the data base of the Infectious Diseases Unit in Ibn Rochd Hospital Center [age, gender, duration of HIV infection, CD4 T lymphocyte count, HIV viral load, glycemia and current or prior use of antiretroviral and antiretroviral therapy (ART) duration]. The primary outcome was a FIB4 score > 1.45. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent risk factors for FIB4 > 1.45.
RESULTS: A FIB4 score > 1.45 was identified in 96 among 619 (15.5%). HIV monoinfected patients followed up between September 1990 and September 2012. Multivariate analysis showed that only a viral load > 75 (OR = 2.23, 95%CI: 1.36-3.67), CD4 > 200 cells/mm3 (OR = 0.39, 95%CI: 0.21-0.72) and age at FIB4 index calculation (OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 1.07-1.13) were independently associated with the occurrence of FIB4 index (> 1.45). Gender, duration of HIV infection, glycemia, use of antiretroviral therapy and ART duration were not associated with significant fibrosis by FIB4.
CONCLUSION: FIB4 score > 1.45 was found in 15.5% of Moroccan HIV monoinfected patients. Age, HIV viremia > 75 copies/mL and CD4 count > 200 cells/mm3 are associated with liver fibrosis. Further studies are needed to explore mechanisms for fibrosis in HIV monoinfected patients.
Core tip: We evaluated, for the first time in Morocco, the prevalence and risk factors of significant hepatic fibrosis in Moroccan human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) monoinfected patients using the FIB4 score which represents a noninvasive, composite index that is a validated measure of hepatic fibrosis. FIB4 score > 1.45 was found in 15.5% of Moroccan HIV monoinfected patients. Age, HIV viremia > 75 copies/mL and CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 are associated with liver fibrosis. Gender, duration of HIV infection, glycemia, use of antiretroviral therapy and antiretroviral therapy duration were not associated with significant fibrosis.