OBJECTIVETo study the serum leptin level and insulin resistance on sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C and to evaluate whether serum leptin level and insulin resistance are independent risk factors.

METHODSForty chronic hepatitis C patients were treated with interferon (alpha-2a) 5 MU and ribavirin 1.0 g for 24 weeks. The fasting serum leptin, insulin, glucose, HCV RNA load, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR: homeostasis model of assessment) and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Statistical methods used were univariate analyses and multivariable regression analyses.

RESULTSOf the 40 patients, 23 patients (57.5%) had a sustained virological response and 17 patients (42.5%) had a non-sustained virological response. Patients with a sustained virological response had lower serum leptin, HOMA-IR and BMI. Their SVR was associated with age, HCV RNA loads, serum leptin level, and insulin resistance, when analyzed with univariate analyses. SVR was not associated with sex, ALT, or AST. With multivariable regression analyses, serum leptin level and insulin resistance were found to be independent prediction factors for SVR in chronic hepatitis C patients with antivirus treatment.

CONCLUSIONSerum leptin level and insulin resistance were associated with SVR in chronic hepatitis C patients; they were independent prediction factors for SVR.