Abstract

To assess whether insulin resistance is associated with liver fibrosis in a group of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and whether there were any differences in insulin resistance between Asians and the indigenous Caucasian population. Secondly, to assess whether insulin resistance is associated with sustained virological response to antiviral therapy. We determined insulin resistance in 59 (30 Caucasians; 29 Asians) consecutive patients with HCV prior to starting antiviral therapy. Insulin resistance was measured using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The relationship between insulin resistance and biochemical, virological, and histological data together with response to antiviral therapy was assessed. In multivariable analyses, insulin resistance as measured using the HOMA-IR model correlated positively with the stage of fibrosis, with higher degrees of insulin resistance in those with greater degrees of fibrosis (p < 0.001). This significant relationship remained even after excluding cirrhotic patients, or after adjusting for other factors associated with fibrosis in univariable analyses. Insulin resistance was significantly higher in Asians than Caucasians (p= 0.004). Around half (55.6%) of patients completing a course of antiviral treatment had a sustained virological response. Multivariable logistic regression identified HCV genotype 3, lower fasting glucose levels, and lower aspartate transaminase (AST) levels as being associated with a higher odds of a sustained virological response. After adjusting for these variables, Asian ethnicity, higher fasting insulin levels, and higher HOMA-IR levels were all associated with a poorer virological response to therapy. Insulin resistance contributes to liver fibrosis in chronic HCV infection; this relationship is not genotypic specific. Asian patients had higher insulin resistance than Caucasians. Insulin resistance is also an important predictor of sustained response to antiviral therapy.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.