Lack of association between hepatitis C infection and chronic kidney disease

Background & aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can have a negative impact on the natural history of hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) infection; patients with HCV and CKD often have adverse outcomes. We evaluated a large and geographically diverse group of patients to determine whether HCV status has an independent effect on the risk of developing CKD.

Methods: We conducted a cohort study of 167,569 patients included in a national health care claims database from January 1, 2003-December 31, 2006, with a mean follow-up of 25.3 months. We used multivariable logistic regression analyses to measure the independent effect of HCV status on the baseline prevalence of and progression to CKD (estimated glomerular filtration rate, <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)).

Results: The baseline prevalence of CKD was similar in patients with versus those without HCV (5.3% vs 5.1%, P = .3). Similarly, among patients with preserved renal function at baseline (n = 82,629), there was no difference in the overall progression to CKD in patients with versus those without HCV (3.8% vs 3.5%, P = .1). HCV status was not associated with progression to CKD, even after adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, and use of relevant medications (odds ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.79-1.08).

Conclusions: We found no association between HCV and risk of development of CKD. These data are relevant in counseling HCV patients regarding the impact of HCV on renal function.