Increased prevalence of liver fibrosis in people living with human immunodeficiency virus without viral hepatitis compared to population controls

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is associated with poor liver-related outcomes and mortality. People with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH) may be at increased risk. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with liver fibrosis in PWH compared to population controls.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study comparing 342 PWH with 2190 population controls aged 50-70 years.Transient elastography was performed and elevated liver stiffness measurement (LSM) defined as 7.6 kPa as a proxy for significant liver fibrosis. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were computed by logistic regression.

RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated LSM was higher in PWH than in uninfected controls (12% vs 7%; P < .01). Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection was independently associated with elevated LSM. In multivariate analysis, elevated LSM was associated with HIV (aOR, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.17-2.88]; P < .01); higher age (per decade: aOR, 3.34 [95% CI, 1.81-6.18]; P < .01); alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (per 10 IU/L: aOR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.05-1.49]; P < .01); body mass index (BMI) (per 1 kg/m2: aOR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.05-1.29]; P < .01), and previous exposure to didanosine (per year: aOR, 2.26 [95% CI, 1.01-5.06]; P = .04).

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of elevated LSM was higher in PWH compared to population controls. Higher age, BMI, ALT, previous exposure to didanosine, and positive HIV status were independently associated with higher odds of elevated LSM.