Insulin resistance is not a risk factor for oesophageal varices development in hepatitis C. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alsebaey, Ayman; Elhelbawy, Mostafa
• Is Part Of: Tropical doctor. Volume 49:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 285
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Hepatitis C virus -- HCV -- cirrhosis -- insulin resistance -- oesophageal varices; Tropical medicine -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing Countries -- Periodicals; Tropical Medicine -- Periodicals; Tropische geneeskunde; 616.9883
• DOI: 10.1177/0049475519863231
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0049-4755

Abstract

Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) patients commonly have insulin resistance which is a risk factor for disease progression. Oesophageal varices may bleed with high mortality. We aimed to assess the relationship between insulin resistance and oesophageal varices. HCV-related compensated liver cirrhosis patients (n = 146) underwent gastroscopy and homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR, HOMA-β and HOMA-S calculations. Their average age was 54.98 years; most (84.9%) patients were men and non-diabetic (60.3%). Patients with oesophageal varices had higher median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores and comparable Child-Pugh class. Patients with and without oesophageal varices had comparable ( P > 0.05) HOMA scores and insulin resistance percentage of 82.9% versus 85.5%. We therefore conclude that insulin resistance is unrelated to the presence of oesophageal varices.