Positive effects of coffee on liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Barré T, Fontaine H, Ramier C, et al
Clinical Nutrition|January 25, 2022
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Journal Summary
NOTE, original article title: Elevated coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of elevated liver fibrosis biomarkers in patients treated for chronic hepatitis B (ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort)
Despite recent therapeutic advances, high risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer has been observed among patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Researchers aimed at determining the socio-demographic and modifiable risk factors for significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients by using cross-sectional data from the ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort.
A total of 2,065 untreated and 1,727 treated chronic HBV patients formed the study population.
As assessed by three non-invasive markers in treated chronic HBV patients, there appeared a consistent association of increased coffee consumption with a lower risk of significant liver fibrosis.
In real-world situations, immediate use of this result can be made, as patients at risk of advanced liver disease may benefit from increasing coffee consumption.
Summary
Background and aims
Patients chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are at high risk of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer, despite recent therapeutic advances. It is therefore crucial to find non-pharmaceutical options for liver fibrosis prevention in this population. Using cross-sectional data from the ANRS CO22 Hepather cohort, we aimed to identify socio-demographic and modifiable risk factors for significant fibrosis in chronic HBV patients.
Methods
Logistic regression or Firth’s penalized maximum likelihood logistic regression (according to outcome prevalence) multivariable models were used to test for associations between explanatory variables and significant fibrosis, as assessed by three non-invasive markers: AST to platelet ratio index (APRI), FIB-4, and gamma glutamyltransferase to platelet ratio (GPR). Analyses were stratified by HBV treatment status.
Results
The study population comprised 2065 untreated and 1727 treated chronic HBV patients. Elevated coffee consumption was consistently associated with a lower risk of elevated fibrosis biomarkers in all three treated-participant models, suggesting a dose-response relationship (adjusted odds ratios for ≥ 3 cups/day versus 0 cups/day: 0.16, 0.35 and 0.62, p≤0.002, according to APRI, FIB-4 and GPR, respectively). Other modifiable risk factors included tobacco and alcohol use.
Conclusion
Elevated coffee consumption was consistently associated with a lower risk of significant liver fibrosis, as assessed by three non-invasive markers in treated chronic HBV patients. This result can be immediately used in real-world situations, as increasing coffee consumption may be beneficial for patients at risk of advanced liver disease.
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