Glucose metabolism in chronic viral hepatitis B and C

ABSTRACT

There have been recently observed an association between chronic hepatitis C infection and diabetes mellitus. This association appears independent of impaired glucose tolerance oftenly observed in cirrhosis. In this study, 40% of patients with CHC had either overt diabetes mellitus [20%] or impaired glucose tolerance [20%]. Glucose tolerance was normal in all patients with CHB. We selected non-obese patients with no history of diabetes mellitus; and had no cirrhosis on liver pathology. The glucose intolerance or diabetic state in our cases may be due to the presence of insulin resistance; as we find a higher level of basal C-peptide, serum iron level and transferrin saturation in patients with CHC as compared to patients with CHB. The association of chronic hepatitis C and diabetes mellitus needs further evaluation