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Baseline cholesterol is associated with the response to antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis C
Author(s) -
Economou Michael,
Milionis Haralampos,
Filis Spyridon,
Baltayiannis Gerasimos,
Christou Leonidas,
Elisaf Moses,
Tsianos Epameidas
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1440-1746
pISSN - 0815-9319
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2007.04911.x
Subject(s) - medicine , odds ratio , body mass index , gastroenterology , apolipoprotein b , cholesterol , logistic regression , hepatitis c virus , hepatitis c , immunology , virus
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) partially interacts with low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors, suggesting a role for lipids in regulating HCV clearance. Our aim was to study if baseline lipids can discriminate responders from non‐responders among patients with HCV infection. Methods: A total of 109 HCV patients were studied. Laboratory measurements included serum lipids, aminotransferases and viral load, as well as HCV genotype determinations. Results: Responders ( n = 53) had significantly higher serum baseline levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B compared to non‐responders ( n = 56). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a 10 mg/dL increase in total cholesterol was associated with 3.02 higher odds of responding to treatment (95% CI 1.74–5.32, P < 0.001), while a 10 mg/dL increase in apolipoprotein B levels was associated with 1.81 higher odds of responding to treatment (95% CI 1.37–2.54, P < 0.001), after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking habits, baseline viral load, liver histology and administration of pegylated interferon. An inverse association between BMI and response to treatment was also evident (adjusted odds ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.96; P = 0.03). Conclusion: Baseline serum total cholesterol levels and BMI could be helpful in discriminating responders to antiviral therapy among patients with HCV infection.