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Insulin resistance is not a risk factor for oesophageal varices development in hepatitis C

Ayman Alsebaey1, Mostafa Elhelbawy2

  • 1Associate Professor, Department of Hepatology and Gastroenterology, National Liver Institute, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Koom, Egypt.

Tropical Doctor
|July 13, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Insulin resistance is common in chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients but does not appear to be linked to the development of oesophageal varices, a serious complication. Further research is needed to understand HCV progression factors.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is associated with insulin resistance, a risk factor for liver disease progression.
  • Oesophageal varices are a serious complication of liver cirrhosis with high mortality.
  • The relationship between insulin resistance and oesophageal varices in HCV patients requires investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the association between insulin resistance and the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with HCV-related compensated liver cirrhosis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 146 patients with HCV-related compensated liver cirrhosis underwent gastroscopy.
  • Insulin resistance was assessed using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR, HOMA-β, and HOMA-S.
  • Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of oesophageal varices.

Main Results:

  • Patients with oesophageal varices had higher median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores but comparable Child-Pugh class.
  • No significant difference in HOMA scores or the prevalence of insulin resistance was observed between patients with and without oesophageal varices (82.9% vs. 85.5%, P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Insulin resistance is not significantly associated with the presence of oesophageal varices in patients with HCV-related compensated liver cirrhosis.
  • These findings suggest that other factors may be more influential in the development of oesophageal varices in this patient population.

Keywords:
HCVHepatitis C viruscirrhosisinsulin resistanceoesophageal varices

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