Serum lipoproteins and chronic hepatitis C infection; importance of inverse relationship

To determine the serum lipid profile in patients with chronic HCV infection and correlation between serum lipid levels and liver histology. Descriptive study was carried out in Medical Unit I of Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro Hyderabad, from September 2007 to August 2009. Convenience sampling was used and 30 patients were selected. Positive PCR test for HCV, non diabetic patients and non cirrhotic patients were included in this study. All the patients were selected from the medical OPD. Clinical examination performed and then blood tests were done. Serum lipid profile were determined in all participants after an overnight fast of 12 h. TC, TG, and HDL-C was measured enzymatically with commercial kits [Olympus System Reagent, Hamburg, Germany] by the use of an automated analyzer. The body mass index [BMI] was calculated in accordance with the formula of weight [kg] divided by height2 [m2]. Selected patients were called in the ward and biopsy was done via Trucut needle and the specimen was fixed in formalin. The biopsies were used to calculate the degree of steatosis [0-3] and fibrosis by METAVIR score. A total of 30 patients were selected for this study. Out of these 19 were males and 11 females. The patients were divided in three groups. Patients with chronic HCV infection were found to have significantly lower levels of serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C than normal adults values. Steatosis was present in significant number of patients [36.67%]. However, steatosis was not correlating with fibrosis [p>0.005]. Hypolipoproteinemia and steatosis are important factors which are associated with chronic hepatitis C