Chronic hepatitis B virus infection and dyslipidemia.
OBJECTIVE
The association of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) has been well documented. However, the relationship between dyslipidemia and asymptomatic chronic HBV infection is still unclear.


METHODS
In 1997, 1330 medical center employees (405 men and 925 women) were recruited to evaluate the effects of chronic HBV infection on serum lipid profile, including total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG). Among these patients, 195 were found to have chronic HBV infection and 35 (17.9%) of them were found to have elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the effects of chronic HBV infection on serum lipids.


RESULTS
The most significant finding was that levels of TC and HDL-C were decreased by 5.8 and 2.7 mg/dL respectively, among patients with asymptomatic chronic HBV infection (serum ALT < 40 U/L). After controlling for other determinants, male gender, old age, higher body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-hip ratio, current smoking, and hepatitis B surface antigen-negative status with ALT > or = 40 U/L were associated with lower serum HDL-C and higher TG levels. However, moderate to heavy alcohol drinking, physically active lifestyle, and lower BMI were associated with higher levels of HDL-C.


CONCLUSIONS
Asymptomatic chronic HBV infection was associated with lower serum levels of TC and HDL-C. Elevation of ALT was also an indicator of lower levels of HDL-C in patients with chronic hepatitis B and lower serum HDL-C and higher TG levels in patients without HBV infection. These findings also indicated the need to monitor the risk of atherosclerotic diseases in patients with asymptomatic chronic HBV infection, especially those with lower HDL-C levels.
Su
Ta-Chen
TC
Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lee
Yuan-Teh
YT
Cheng
Tsun-Jen
TJ
Chien
Hsu-Ping
HP
Wang
Jung-Der
JD
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000410:Alanine Transaminase