Original Contribution
The American Journal of Gastroenterology (2005) 100, 1091–1098; doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.41059.x
Factors Associated with the Presence of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
José A Solis-Herruzo1, Mercedes Pérez-Carreras1, Eloy Rivas1, Inmaculada Fernández-Vázquez1, Cristina Garfia1, Esther Bernardos1, Gregorio Castellano1 and Francisco Colina1
1Departments of Gastroenterology and Pathology, Hospital Universitario "Doce de Octubre," Madrid, Spain
Correspondence: José A. Solís-Herruzo, PhD, MD, Servicio de Medicina Aparato Digestivo, Hospital Universitario "12 de Octubre," Carretera de Andalucía, Km. 5400, Madrid 28041, Spain
Received 29 June 2004; Revised 0000; Accepted 8 December 2004.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC).
METHODS:
We studied 98 patients with CHC [47 with NASH (group HCV/NASH), 51 without NASH (group HCV)] and 85 with NASH not infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) (group NASH). We determined factors associated with the presence of NASH in patients with hepatitis C.
RESULTS:
Group HCV/NASH patients resembled those with NASH. Body mass index (BMI) was higher in group HCV/NASH than in group HCV, but was similar to group NASH. Most HCV/NASH patients had risk factors for NASH. In patients infected with HCV, NASH and NASH-related lesions were independently associated with BMI, while steatosis score was associated with HCV genotype 3 and BMI. Fibrosis stage was independently associated with steatosis, necroinflammatory activity index, and NASH lesions.
CONCLUSION:
While HCV genotype 3 infection and BMI are associated with the presence of steatosis in CHC, BMI is the only factor independently associated with the presence of NASH in these patients. We suggest that overweight-related factors might induce NASH in CHC patients.
