Changes In Serum Lipid Profile Among Patients Suffering From Chronic Liver Disease Secondary To Hepatitis C

Objective: To find out the changes in lipid metabolism among patients suffering from HCV CLD. Design: Hospital based observational study. Methods: About 110 Patients with diagnosis of CLD secondary to HCV, were included in the study. Patients suffering from DM, HTN, IHD, CCF, CRF, CVA were excluded from the study. Fasting lipid profile was done in all cases.Results: There were 44 male and 66 female patients. Mean age of the pts was 50.18 (±11.7) years. Total cholesterol was decreased in 98 (89.09%) patients. Normal range was present in 6 (5.45%) patients. Hypercholesterolemia was seen in 6 (5.45%). Serum triglyceride levels were low in 82 (74.54%) patients, normal in 10 (9.09%), borderline high in 8 (7.27%) and hypertriglyceridemia was seen in 10 (9.09%). HDL-c was below normal in 32 (29.09%) cases, normal in 68 (61.81%), and high in 10 (9.09%). LDL was normal in all cases. Mean TC/HDL ratio was 2.72(±0.64). Mean LDL/HDL ratio was 1.27 (±0.68).Conclusion: when it comes to its relationship with lipid metabolism, HCV is a remarkable virus. its interaction with lipoproteins and its ability to induce massive steatosis are quite unique and idiosyncraiatic. Despite of causing hepatic steatosis, chronic HCV infection is associated with a paradoxically favorable lipid profile, although its reason cannot be enlightened precisely. There is need for very well settled molecular and genetic studies to well understand HCV infection and lipid metabolism.