Gender and liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis: the role of iron status.
BACKGROUND
The role of gender in the progression of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C is still under investigation.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether gender affects the progression of liver disease and/or hides other risk factors.


METHODS
A prospective series of 121 consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C underwent liver biopsy. Grading and staging for chronic hepatitis were each evaluated according to Ishak's classification.


RESULTS
In univariate and multivariate analysis on the whole group of patients, male gender was not associated either with significant liver fibrosis (Ishak's score > 2) or with cirrhosis (Ishak's score > 4). On the contrary, in univariate analysis on patients aged < or = 50 years, male gender was nearly significantly (P = 0.06) predictive of liver fibrosis, whereas it was not in patients > 50 years. Hepatic iron grading, along with age, was an independent factor associated with fibrosis. Moreover, the values of all the variables which describe iron status were significantly higher in males aged < or = 50 years in comparison with females of the same age.


CONCLUSIONS
In chronic hepatitis C, male gender may be predictive of liver fibrosis only in patients aged < or = 50 years. Among fibrogenetic factors hidden by gender, iron status could play a major role.
Rigamonti
C
C
Internal Medicine Unit, University Amedeo Avogadro of East Piedmont, Novara, Italy.
Andorno
S
S
Maduli
E
E
Capelli
F
F
Boldorini
R
R
Sartori
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
D014168:Transferrin; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron