Insulin resistance in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C: what does it mean?

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in non-diabetic patients with chronic hepatitis C, and to assess the association between IR, laboratory parameters and histological findings. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Eighty-two patients had their serum analyzed for glucose, lipid profile, C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), HOMA-IR, viral load and HCV genotype. Patients with HOMA-IR levels > 2.5 were considered as carriers of insulin resistance. RESULTS IR was observed in 27% of patients and was associated with age, waist circumference and body mass index. IR patients were more likely to have more advanced hepatic fibrosis and necroinflammatory activity, higher levels of aminotransferases and liver steatosis than patients without IR. CONCLUSIONS Insulin resistance is often present in patients with chronic hepatitis C, and this parameter is associated with more advanced HCV-related hepatic fibrosis.