Background: High prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is noticed in Yun-Lin, Chiayi area in Taiwan. Patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in this area have the highest risk for HCV infection. Understanding the natural history of HCV and its association with inflammation, nutrition and outcomes in dialysis patients may provide more information for anti-HCV management strategies in dialysis and other patient populations.

Objective: We hypothesize that HCV infected MHD patients have distinct metabolic, and inflammatory characteristics that can be linked to adverse conditions and increased higher morbidity and mortality.

Design: A cross-sectional study is conducted in one regional teaching hospital with its medical alliance dialysis clinics. A cohort of 200 MHD patients including 70 HCV subjects are recruited. Basic data and dialysis characteristics are collected. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is defined according to International Diabetes Federation (IDF) consensus 2005. Insulin resistance (IR) is defined by HOMA index. Comorbidity is rated by Charlson Comorbidity Score. Malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) is used to rate the severity of malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome (MICS). Nutritional and appetite status are evaluated by appetite and diet assessment tool (ADAT) and anthropometric evaluation. Inflammatory status is measured by biomarkers such as serum concentrations of C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, adiponectin, leptin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Ankle-brachial index (ABI)test is used to predict the severity of peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD). We use Beck's depression inventory to assess depression status and apply SF36, WHOQOL and EQ-5D questionnaires to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Outcome evaluations are based on mortality and hospitalizations followed prospectively for up to 6 months.