Study of Lipid Profile Changes in Cirrhosis of Liver

BACKGROUND: Cirrhosis is often associated with impaired lipid metabolism. However, there are only a few studies regarding lipid profile in cirrhosis that have been undertaken in India. The aim of the study is to assess the degree of alteration of serum lipid profile in cirrhotic patients and also to detect its relationship with the complication of cirrhosis and assess the severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in 50 cirrhosis patients admitted in Thanjavur Medical Hospital. A questionnaire of personal characteristics including history of alcoholism, detailed present and past history was elicited for each patient. Serum lipid profile (total, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglyceride) was recorded. Lipid levels in our study was correlated with the complications of cirrhosis. Statistical analysis was done using T –test. RESULTS: Majority of the cases were in the 41-50 years age group. In patients with cirrhosis, the total serum cholesterol level was decreased. There was a significant decrease in serum HDL and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels . This low lipid level was scompared with various complications of cirrhosis and the data was statistically analysed and it shows no correlation between complications and low lipid levels. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found that there was marked reduction of serum lipid profile values in patients with cirrhosis. Therefore, a search for lipid profile abnormality should be performed in every cirrhotic patient. There was no significant correlation between the serum lipid values and the incidence of complications of cirrhosis