Association between metabolic abnormalities and hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Metabolic syndrome is recognised as a potential risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The association between metabolic factors and hepatitis C (HCV)-related HCC has not yet been well clarified. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of metabolic factors in HCV-related HCC.


METHODS
We recruited 147 HCC patients and compared them with 147 matched CHC patients and 320 controls. The plasma levels of homeostasis model assessment-IR (HOMA-IR), adiponectin and lipids for all participants were assessed.


RESULTS
The HCC group showed significantly higher levels of insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR and adiponectin as well as lower levels of total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, and triglycerides compared with the matched CHC patients and controls. HOMA-IR did not correlate with pathologic features of HCC, whereas serum adiponectin levels correlated positively with the size of tumour nodules (P = 0.009). Based on stepwise logistic regression analysis, age (OR: 1.456, 95% CI: 1.072-1.979, P < 0.01), HOMA-IR (OR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.70-3.69, P = 0.001), and adiponectin (OR: 1.585, 95% CI: 1.269-1.980, P = 0.001) were independently associated with HCC.


CONCLUSIONS
Metabolic abnormalities are closely associated with the occurrence and development of HCV-related HCC. Patients with CHC and high serum adiponectin levels face a higher risk of developing liver cancer. Insulin resistance, as measured by HOMA-IR, is significantly associated with HCV-related HCC.
Department of Internal Medicine, Minia University, Egypt. mkhattabmed@hotmail.com
Mahmoud A
MA
Khattab
Mohammed
M
Eslam
Yousef I
YI
Mousa
Nosa
N
Ela-adawy
Shimaa
S
Fathy
Mohammed
M
Shatat
Hesham
H
Abd-Aalhalim
Amal
A
Kamal
Mohammed A
MA
Sharawe
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers