HEPATIC STEATOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS C

Abstract

Aims: The aims of this study was to indentify independent predictive factors of liver steatosis in patients with hepatitis C and to examine the correlations between ultrasound-diagnosed HS and anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and sonographic measurements. Materials and methods: We included 173 patients with CHC. HS has a high prevalence in diabetes mellitus patients, and we considered patients with CHC and diabetes as a separate subgroup for analysis: 113 patients (54 men/59 women) with hepatitis C – group A and 60 patients (28 men/32 women) with hepatitis C and T2DM – group B. We performed anthropometric measurements (weight, height, BMI (body mass index), as well as laboratory analysis and ultrasonography. All patients signed an informed consent before inclusion in the study. Results: In all patients with CHC, in univariate analysis triglycerides, hypertension, MetS, HOMA-IR >2, T2DM, AST/ALT ratio >1, and BMI >30kg/m2 was associated with HS. Logistic regression analysis revealed five factors independently related with ultrasound-diagnosed HS: the triglyceride levels, hypertension, the BMI, AST/ALT ratio, and T2DM. Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed HS in patients CHC and CHC and T2DM. Identification of risk factor for HS has therapeutic importance, because targeted therapies might prevent the progression of HS to fibrosis and cirrhosis.