This prospective study followed 182 patients with advanced liver disease who achieved sustained virologic response (SVR) after hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals. Over 48 months, researchers tracked changes in body mass index (BMI), alcohol use, exercise habits, and liver-related outcomes under a nurse-led hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) screening program. Results showed a consistent post-SVR increase in BMI, waist-hip ratio, and alcohol consumption, with 18.1% of patients developing hepatic steatosis and 4.4% developing HCC. These lifestyle shifts—particularly weight gain and increased alcohol intake—raise concern that metabolic and behavioral factors may offset the long-term benefits of HCV cure.

The findings underscore a critical need for continued post-SVR monitoring and interventions targeting metabolic health and alcohol use. Leveraging existing infrastructure, such as nurse-led programs, could help deliver lifestyle counseling and pharmacologic support to reduce liver disease progression and HCC risk. Despite the study’s strengths—prospective design and long-term follow-up—it also faced limitations, including dropout and limited HCC cases. Nonetheless, it highlights the importance of proactive, integrated care strategies for patients cured of HCV but still vulnerable to liver-related complications due to modifiable risk factors.

Reference: Granel N, Iserte G, Bartres C, et al. Liver cancer risk and changes in lifestyle habits after successful hepatitis C virus therapy post-DAA HCV therapy: lifestyle changes and liver cancer risk. BMC Gastroenterol. 2025;25(1):51. doi: 10.1186/s12876-025-03611-w.