ABSTRACT
To study the frequency of steatosis and observe the relation between steatosis and grade of fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C. This descriptive case series study was undertaken at liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences hospital from July 2005 to November 2007. It included 158 PCR-positive hepatitis C cases with genotype 3. Patients demographic data was enrolled in welt designed proforma BMI was calculated and history of diabetes metlitus was obtained. Liver biopsy was done after written consent and was sent for grading of fibrosis and steatosis. T-test was applied for continuous variables whereas stage of fibrosis was compared with grade of steatosis, BMI and age by chi-square test. 0.05 was made a level of Significance. This study included 158 patients out of which 109 [69%] were male and 49[31%] were female. The mean age of the patient was 36.8 +/- 9.8.The BMI was <25 in 86[54.4%] whereas BMI 25-30 was present inS3 [33.5%] and BMI >30 in 19 [12%] of cases. The steatosis was found in 71[45%] of cases. Mild [<30% of hepatocytes involved] 33[21%], moderate [30-60% hepatocytes involved] in 26 [16.5%] and severe [>60% hepatocytes involved] steatosis in 12[7.5%] cases. A strong correlation between steatosis score and fibrosis stage was observed in our study [P= < 0.001] whereas no relationship was observed between BMI [P = 0.67] or age [P =0.39] with stage of steatosis. This study showed that increased steatosis is associated with worsening fibrosis suggesting a possible role for steatosis in the acceleration of Liver disease in HCV Patients and efforts to control steatosis may therefore have an important role in halting HCV liver disease progression