[Effect of interferon therapy on carbohydrate metabolism in chronic hepatitis C patients]

Reversible impact of alpha-interferon on carbohydrate (CH) metabolism was observed in patients with hepatitis C treated with interferon between 1993 and 1997. Of the 32 patients 3 individuals had known to have diabetes mellitus before the treatment and 1 had impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). 28 patients proved to have normal CH metabolism before the interferon treatment. To each patients was interferon alpha was administrated in a dose 3 MU TIW. During the 6 months interferon therapy of the 3 patients treated with oral antidiabetic drug one's diabetes mellitus did not deteriorated, but 2 patients required insulin therapy. In the patient with known IGT a manifested diabetes mellitus has gradually developed. Out of the 28 patients with normal CH metabolism in 9 cases developed IGT, 19 patient's CH metabolism did not change significantly. All of the changes induced by interferon proved to be reversible.