Insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C: what does it mean?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C, and to assess the association between IR, laboratory parameters and histological findings.


METHODS
Eighty-two patients had their serum analyzed for glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HOMA-IR, viral load and HCV genotype. Patients with HOMA-IR levels > 2.5 were considered as carriers of insulin resistance.


RESULTS
IR was observed in 27% of patients and was associated with age, waist circumference and body mass index. IR patients were more likely to have more advanced hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity, higher levels of aminotransferases and liver steatosis than patients without IR.


CONCLUSIONS
Insulin resistance is often present in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and this parameter is associated with more advanced HCV-related hepatic fibrosis.
Hepatology Reference Center, Gastroenterology Department, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Rua Albino Martins Ribeiro 324, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. aecio.meirelles@gmail.com
Aécio Flávio Meirelles de
AF
Souza
Fábio Heleno de Lima
FH
Pace
Júlio Maria Fonseca
JM
Chebli
Lincoln Eduardo Villela Vieira de Castro
LE
Ferreira
D000886:Anthropometry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values
D015415:Biomarkers