Hepatic steatosis: predictors, prognostic signs in chronic hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Steatosis is a common histological finding in chronic hepatitis C. However, the influence of steatosis on the course of chronic hepatitis C and response to treatment remain poorly recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of steatosis and treatment response in patients with chronic HCV. Fifty-two male patients with chronic HCV were subjected to the treatment protocols for 14 months started at April 1999. Inclusion criteria were Hepatic biopsy status compatible with chronic hepatitis, and increased ALT levels in three consecutive determinations over three months. All patients were treated with standard interferon [alpha 2 a] 3M U subcutaneous daily for one month then every other day for two months. This in addition to Ribavirine in a dose of 1200 mg daily orally for three months. The highest response rate was in the group with mild steatosis in 8 cases [53.3%] then in the group with moderate steatosis in 5 cases [33.3%] followed by the group with severe steatosis only 2 cases [13.3%]. Hepatic steatosis of mild grade in chronic HCV is associated with high activity index and less degree of fibrosis as well as high response rate to therapy while with increasing degree of steatosis, the activity index decreases and the fibrosis index increases further more the response rate decreases