# Renal Function in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients in Mongolia

## TL;DR

This study found that chronic hepatitis C infection in Mongolia is linked to reduced kidney function, with older age and severe liver damage worsening the effect.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates a strong association between HCV infection and decreased glomerular filtration rate in a Mongolian population.

## Key findings

- HCV-infected patients had a significantly lower glomerular filtration rate compared to the control group (p < 0.01).
- HCV patients were 25 times more likely to have reduced kidney function (OR 24.91, p = 0.002).
- Older age, obesity, and severe liver fibrosis were linked to greater kidney function decline in HCV patients.

## Abstract

Background: According to a study conducted among a relatively healthy population of Mongolia (2017), the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is 8.5%, which is considered a high prevalence of this infection. In addition to inflammation of the liver, other organ systems are affected by HCV infection, according to research. Our study aimed to evaluate renal dysfunction in patients with HCV infection. Methods: In the study, 111 people with chronic hepatitis C virus infection were included in the study group, and 111 relatively healthy people were included in the control group. Laboratory parameters were analyzed. Liver fibrosis score was assessed and evaluated by renal function. Results: There were 22.9% (51) men and 77.1% (171) women among the 222 participants, and the average age was 40.7 ± 11.1 years. The glomerular filtration rate was 105.3 ± 24.5 in the chronic hepatitis C virus-infected group and 118.7 ± 18.5 in the control group, or the statistically significant difference in the case group compared to the control group was p < 0.01. The liver fibrosis score was higher in the case group than in the control group. According to logistic regression analysis, patients with hepatitis C virus infection are 25 times more likely to have a decrease in glomerular filtration rate than those without viral infection (OR 24.91, 95% CI 3.13–198.38, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our study showed that HCV infection leads to kidney function loss. In addition, older age, obesity, and severe liver fibrosis contribute to kidney function decline.