title: ASSOCIATION OF THE NUTRITIONAL PROFILE WITH HISTOLOGICAL FINDINGS OF PATIENTS WITH GENOTYPE 1 CHRONIC HEPATITIS C INFECTION.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Different factors are responsible for the progression of hepatic fibrosis in chronic infection with hepatitis C virus, but the role of nutritional factors in the progression of the disease is not clearly defined. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary profile among patients with chronic hepatitis C who were candidates for treatment and its association with histopathological features.
  
  
  METHODS
  A crossectional study was conducted on treatment-naïve patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1, between 2011 and 2013. The following assessments were performed before treatment: liver biopsy, anthropometric measurements and qualitative/quantitative analysis of food intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy patients were studied. The majority of patients was classified as obese (34%) or overweight (20%) according to body mass index [BMI] and as at risk for cardiovascular diseases by waist circumference (79%). Unhealthy food intake was presented by 59% according to qualitative parameters and several patients showed an insufficient intake of calories (59%), excessive intake of protein (36%) and of saturated fat (63%), according to quantitative analysis. With respect to histology, 68% presented activity grade ≥2, 65% had steatosis and 25% exhibited fibrosis stage >2. Comparative analysis between anthropometric parameters and histological features showed that elevated waist circumference was the only variable associated to hepatic steatosis ( P =0.05). There was no association between qualitative and quantitative food intake parameters with histological findings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study, most of the patients with hepatitis C presented inadequate qualitative food intake and excessive consumption of saturated fat; in addition, excess of abdominal fat was associated to hepatic steatosis. Therefore, nutritional guidance should be implemented prior to treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C, in order to avoid nutritional disorders and negative impact on the management of patients.
authors: Departamento de Gastroenterologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Vanessa Aparecida de Santis E
authors: VA
authors: Silva
authors: Departamento de Gastroenterologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Maria Lucia G
authors: ML
authors: Ferraz
authors: Departamento de Gastroenterologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Roberto de
authors: Rd
authors: Carvalho-Filho
authors: Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Valeria Pereira
authors: VP
authors: Lanzoni
authors: Departamento de Gastroenterologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Antonio Eduardo Benedito
authors: AE
authors: Silva
authors: Departamento de Gastroenterologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil.
authors: Ivonete S S
authors: IS
authors: Silva
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index