Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Hepatitis C virus infection and its clearance alter circulating lipids: implications for long-term follow-up.

Full Abstract

Hepatitis C associated hypolipidemia has been demonstrated in studies from Europe and Africa. In two linked studies, we evaluated the relationship between hepatitis C infection and treatment with lipid levels in an American cohort and determined the frequency of clinically significant posttreatment hyperlipidemia. First, a case-control analysis of patients with and without hepatitis C was performed. The HCV Group consisted of 179 infected patients. The Uninfected Control Group consisted of 180 age-matched controls. Fasting cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein and triglycerides were compared. Next was a retrospective cohort study (Treated Hepatitis C Group) of 87 treated hepatitis C patients with lipid data before and after therapy was performed. In the case-control analysis, the HCV Group had significantly lower LDL and cholesterol than the Uninfected Control Group. In the retrospective cohort, patients in the Treated Hepatitis C Group who achieved viral clearance had increased LDL and cholesterol from baseline compared to patients without viral clearance. These results persisted when adjusted for age, sex, and genotype. 13% of patients with viral clearance had increased LDL and 33% experienced increases in cholesterol to levels warranting lipid lowering therapy. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C is associated with decreased cholesterol and LDL levels. This hypolipidemia resolves with successful hepatitis C treatment but persists in nonresponders. A significant portion of successfully treated patients experience LDL and cholesterol rebound to levels associated with increased coronary disease risk. Lipids should be carefully monitored in persons receiving antiviral therapy.

Author information

Author/s: Corey, Kathleen E (KE); Kane, Erin (E); Munroe, Craig (C); Barlow, Lydia L (LL); Zheng, Hui (H); Chung, Raymond T (RT);

Affiliation: Gastrointestinal Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.) (Hepatology), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 50 (issue 4) : pp 1030-7

Dates: Created 2009/10/05; Completed 2009/10/20;

PMID: 19787818, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/20/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Aged Antiviral Agents - pharmacology; therapeutic use Case-Control Studies Cholesterol - blood Cholesterol, LDL - blood Cohort Studies Cross-Sectional Studies Female Follow-Up Studies Hepacivirus - genetics; metabolism

Hepatitis C, Chronic - blood; drug therapy Humans Interferon Alfa-2a - pharmacology; therapeutic use Lipid Metabolism - drug effects; physiology Lipids - blood Male Middle Aged Polyethylene Glycols - pharmacology; therapeutic use RNA, Viral - blood Retrospective Studies Ribavirin - pharmacology; therapeutic use

Associated Chemicals: Antiviral Agents (0) ; Cholesterol, LDL (0) ; Lipids (0) ; Polyethylene Glycols (0) ; RNA, Viral (0) ; peginterferon alfa-2a (0) ; Ribavirin (36791-04-5) ; Cholesterol (57-88-5) ; Interferon Alfa-2a (76543-88-9)

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