Progression

What factors speed up the progression of Hepatitis C? Can grieving cause increased viral loads?

[JennyPenny]

Some people might say that grieving or any other stresses may affect the immune system thereby affecting the prgression of hep C. Alcohol and smoking can definitely make the disease progress more quickly. Certain medications such as steroids can do the same. As people age, they may tend to progress a little faster aldo.

[HCA]

Age is the main factor-most chronic hep c cases will tend towards cirrhosis at age 60-65.
A modified immune response additionaly causes disease progression.
There is no probably no evidence to isolate grief as an aggravating factor,however it would be naive to suggest that grief and siimlar stresses might have no affect.

[MYS]

Alcohol - definitely.
I would guess that any form of stress could speed up the progression also.
MYS

[jmjm530]

Some other factors that speed fibrosis progression are: being male, infected at an older age, Steatosis, being overweight, geno 3, cigarette smoking, marijuna smoking, heavy (not light) alcohol consumption, and some more but working from memory. And yes, stage 4 tends to hit a large majority of us around age 65 regardless of the other factors. Still, we're all indivduals so there can be a lot of variance. As to stress/grieving, dont think stress helps anything but not sure I'd put my bet on it.

-- Jim

[JennyPenny]

"being male and infected at an older age" are things we have no control over. I'm not sure they speed progression. They are reasons that someone might have more progression but not have it speeded up.

Nevermind, I know I am not being clear here. But maybe you get what I mean?

[jmjm530]

"being male and infected at an older age" are things we have no control over. I'm not sure they speed progression. They are reasons that someone might have more progression but not have it speeded up.
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I don't see a distinction between having "more progression" and "speeding progression", but I'll try again. The factors I mentioned, including being male and being infected at an older age, are associated with faster fibrosis progression. Still not sure of the difference, but I'm trying :)

[jmjm530]

FWIW this is how one study described it:

Abstract  Hepatitis C is the most common cause of end-stage liver disease and is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Current treatment options have led to moderate success in viral eradication, but treatment options are limited by adverse effects, cost, and lower success rates in some difficult-to-treat groups. Studies of the natural history of chronic hepatitis C viral infection have yielded some risk factors that are likely to accelerate disease progression, such as advanced age, male gender, alcohol consumption, and HIV coinfection. Patients at significant risk for disease progression should be considered for staging liver biopsies, close monitoring, and possible treatment.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/e32760337416h711/

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I thought that was what I was trying to say, but anyway now you have someone else's wording.

[jmjm530]

Before someone points it out, let me point out that "advanced age" is not the same as "being infected at an older age", both of which I originally mentioned. There are studies re "being infected at an older age" and be glad to try and dig them up if someone is interested.

[JennyPenny]

Not to worry. I know what you mean but obviously I am having trouble making myself clear. But you're right....it really doesn't matter. Getting older messes with the immune system and being a male, for some reason makes the prognosis a possibly a little worse, all things being equal, except gender.

[scratchinghead]

Reducing or eliminating drinking alcohol and reducing or eliminating pot smoking are two things that you have some control over to minimize the progression. Some of the other things you do not.

[jdwithhcv]

How about chemotherapy and radiation?

[Rockerforlife]

Life.