Systematic review with meta-analysis: neuroimaging in hepatitis C chronic infection

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#adult #brain #central-nervous-system-viral-diseases #diffusion-tensor-imaging #female

Systematic review with meta-analysis: neuroimaging in hepatitis C chronic infection

Oriolo et al., 2018 | Aliment Pharmacol Ther | Meta Analysis

Citation

Oriolo G, Egmond E, ... Martin-Santos R. Systematic review with meta-analysis: neuroimaging in hepatitis C chronic infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018-May;47(9):1238-1252. doi:10.1111/apt.14594

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C is considered a systemic disease because of extra-hepatic manifestations. Neuroimaging has been employed in hepatitis C virus-infected patients to find in vivo evidence of central nervous system alterations. AIMS: Systematic review and meta-analysis of neuroimaging research in chronic hepatitis C treatment naive patients, or patients previously treated without sustained viral response, to study structural and functional brain impact of hepatitis C. METHODS: Using PRISMA guidelines a database search was conducted from inception up until 1 May 2017 for peer-reviewed studies on structural or functional neuroimaging assessment of chronic hepatitis C patients without cirrhosis or encephalopathy, with control group. Meta-analyses were performed when possible. RESULTS: The final sample comprised 25 studies (magnetic resonance spectroscopy [N = 12], perfusion weighted imaging [N = 1], positron emission tomography [N = 3], single-photon emission computed tomography [N = 4], functional connectivity in resting state [N = 1], diffusion tensor imaging [N = 2] and structural magnetic resonance imaging [N = 2]). The whole sample was of 509 chronic hepatitis C patients, with an average age of 41.5 years old and mild liver disease. A meta-analysis of magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies showed increased levels of choline/creatine ratio (mean difference [MD] 0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06-0.18), creatine (MD 0.85, 95% CI 0.42-1.27) and glutamate plus glutamine (MD 1.67, 95% CI 0.39-2.96) in basal ganglia and increased levels of choline/creatine ratio in centrum semiovale white matter (MD 0.13, 95% CI 0.07-0.19) in chronic hepatitis C patients compared with healthy controls. Photon emission tomography studies meta-analyses did not find significant differences in PK11195 binding potential in cortical and subcortical regions of chronic hepatitis C patients compared with controls. Correlations were observed between various neuroimaging alterations and neurocognitive impairment, fatigue and depressive symptoms in some studies. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with chronic hepatitis C exhibit cerebral metabolite alterations and structural or functional neuroimaging abnormalities, which sustain the hypothesis of hepatitis C virus involvement in brain disturbances.

Key Findings

The final sample comprised 25 studies (magnetic resonance spectroscopy [N = 12], perfusion weighted imaging [N = 1], positron emission tomography [N = 3], single-photon emission computed tomography [N = 4], functional connectivity in resting state [N = 1], diffusion tensor imaging [N = 2] and structural magnetic resonance imaging [N = 2]). The whole sample was of 509 chronic hepatitis C patients, with an average age of 41.5 years old and mild liver disease. A meta-analysis of magnetic resonance

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population chronic hepatitis c exhibit
Sample Size 12
Age Range See abstract
Condition cognitive

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Brain
  • Central Nervous System Viral Diseases
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging
  • Female
  • Hepatitis C, Chronic
  • Humans
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • Male
  • Neuroimaging

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: creatine

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09