ABSTRACT
This study was planned to evaluate serum leptin levels in patients with chronic viral hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. The study included 80 patients with chronic viral hepatitis [chronic hepatitis C positive group [41 patients]. 23 non-cirrhotic and 18 patients post HCV cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis B patient [25 patients] 10 patients non-cirrhotic and 15 post HBV cirrhosis. Chronic hepatitis B and C virus positive group. [14 patients] 6 non-cirrhotic and 8 patients post HBV and HCV cirrhosis. 10 healthy subjects of matched age and sex as a control group. The study showed that serum leptin levels was significantly elevated with non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic cases [chronic hepatitis] than the control while the highest concentration being seen in cirrhotic patients. There was a non significant difference in serum leptin levels with the different etiology of non-cirrhotic chronic viral hepatitis. Serum leptin levels showed a non significant difference between different Child classes. Serum leptin levels are sex dependent, higher in females than males. Serum leptin levels correlated positively with [BMI], this correlation was significant in females while not significant in males. Serum leptin was correlated positively with serum bilirubin, on the other hand serum leptin levels was inversely correlated significantly with serum albumin but no correlation with SGPT or SGOT. It can be concluded that in the course of chronic viral liver disease, serum leptin levels may reflect the extent of liver dysfunction Serum leptin levels is higher in patients with chronic hepatitis and is significantly increased in cirrhotic than non-cirrhotic and there is no correlation between BMI and its level