Hepatitis C and steatosis.
Hepatitis C infection and non-alcohol-related hepatic steatosis are the most common liver diseases worldwide, and both conditions often co-exist in the same patient. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 3 directly induces development of steatosis, whereas in patients with non-genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C infection, insulin resistance plays a key role in the pathophysiology of steatosis. Insulin resistance and its clinical components including obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, increased blood pressure, and low HDL-cholesterol levels are often seen in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection. Both increased adipocity and presence of steatosis may increase the risk of fibrosis progression, and both have been associated with a decreased rate of response to antiviral treatment. Hence, liver steatosis in the setting of HCV infection is a distinct condition with specific clinical and prognostic implications. Accumulating evidence suggests that weight management may lead not only to a decrease in steatosis but also improvement in fibrosis severity. However, further studies are necessary to determine whether weight reduction improves response to antiviral therapy.
Björnsson
Einar
E
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Angulo
Paul
P
D000818:Animals; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D018450:Disease Progression; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D015431:Weight Loss