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Peripheral insulin resistance during treatment of chronic hepatitis C with peguilated interferon plus ribavirin
Author(s) -
Mello Vivianne,
Cruz Thomaz,
Nuñez Geila,
Simões Maria Tereza,
NeyOliveira Fabrizio,
Braga Hélio,
Cunha Simone,
Schii Maria Isabel,
Cruz Marla,
Parana Raymundo
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.20712
Subject(s) - ribavirin , insulin resistance , medicine , gastroenterology , hepatitis c virus , insulin , interferon , hepatitis c , diabetes mellitus , virus , immunology , endocrinology
Patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection present higher risk of developing type‐2 diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the mechanism of this association and the role of antiviral treatment are still unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between the use of peguilated interferon and the development of insulin resistance (IR) in these patients. Methods: HOMA index was evaluated in 30 HCV‐infected patients just before and during the first 6 months of treatment with peguilated interferon plus ribavirin. Anthropometrical parameters and glucose/cholesterol profile were also monitored. Results: No changes in HOMA after 6 months of treatment were observed. Glucose levels decreased but not significantly ( P = 0.059). Patients with higher HOMA index after 6 months of treatment also presented higher aminotransferase levels ( P = 0.03), higher fat index on computed tomography ( P = 0.011), longer time of exposure to the virus ( P = 0.021), and a positive smoking history when compared to non‐insulin resistant patients ( P = 0.045). There was no influence of fibrosis stage on liver biopsy in the insulin‐resistance development. Conclusions: No changes in the IR were observed after 6 months of treatment. Insulin resistance is related to the abdominal fat and anthropometrical parameters rather than to the antiviral treatment. J. Med. Virol. 78:1406–1410, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.