The occurrence of liver steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C - the experience of the Clinical Center of Vojvodina

Background/Aim. Hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C occurs in about half of the cases. Its occurrence is influenced by factors of the host and viral factors and its importance lies in the fact that it reduces the success of antiviral therapy based on interferon in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and that, associated with other factors, exacerbates liver disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and severity of steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to determine the factors that affect its occurrence. Methods. The study included 123 patients with chronic hepatitis C with diagnosis of liver steatosis made by liver biopsy and histopathological examination according to which ≥ 5% of hepatocytes was affected by fatty change. Based on the presence of steatosis, the patients were divided into two groups: 43 patients with steatosis and 80 patients without steatosis. The influence of certain factors on the occurrence of steatosis was examined using standard statistical methods. Results. Liver steatosis was found in 34.96% of patients with chronic hepatitis C, and a majority of patients (76.74%) had mild steatosis. Of the examined predictive factors for the occurrence of steatosis, statistical significance in its occurrence was connected to elevated body mass index (BMI), genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV viremia. Conclusion. Hepatic steatosis often occurs in people with chronic hepatitis C, and most often it is mild. The occurrence of hepatic steatosis in our sample was most often affected by genotype 3 HCV and HCV viremia level. Hepatic steatosis can reduce the success of antiviral therapy based on interferon and negatively affect chronic liver disease course. Therefore, we need to recognize it, treat it and make it withdraw