Long-term risk of end-stage renal diseases with maintenance dialysis among chronic hepatitis C patients after antiviral therapy in Taiwan

Background and Aim: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with impaired renal function. The aim of this study is to explore the risk of and factors associated with end-stage renal diseases (ESRD) under maintenance dialysis among HCV patients after anti-HCV therapy. Methods: A total of 12 696 HCV-infected patients with interferon-based therapy, including 9679 (76.2%) achieving sustained virological response (SVR), were enrolled from 23 hospitals in Taiwan. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years (67 554 person-years), the annual incidence of 4.1/10 000 person-years, 4.0/10 000 and 4.7/10 000 person-years among SVR patients and non-SVR patients, respectively. History of diabetes and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/m², instead of SVR, were the significant risk factors for developing ESRD with maintenance dialysis after anti-HCV therapy (adjusted hazard ratio 7.75 and 9.78). Conclusion: Diabetes and baseline impaired renal function were strongly associated with progression to ESRD with maintenance dialysis among chronic HCV-infected patients after antiviral therapy.