Serum HCV RNA Level Is Not Associated with Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients with Genotype 1 or 2 Infection

Background: Previous reports have indicated that insulin resistance (IR) is associated withchronic hepatits C virus (HCV) infection. However, the correlations betweenIR, metabolic syndrome (MS), and serum HCV RNA levels are still controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between IR,MS, and HCV RNA in patients with chronic genotype 1 or 2 HCV infection.Methods: One hundred and twenty subjects with chronic genotype 1 or 2 HCV infection with complete clinical data were prospectively enrolled. Baseline andlaboratory data were collected and analyzed. IR was defined as a homeostaticmodel assessment- IR (HOMA-IR) score > 2.5.Results: Of the 120 patients, 47 (39.2%) had a HOMA-IR > 2.5, and 42 (35%) metthe criteria for MS. IR was significantly associated with a high body massindex (p < 0.0001), high waist circumference (p < 0.0001) and high triglyceride level (p = 0.025). IR was an independent predictor of MS. However, inmultivariate linear regression analysis, the serum HCV RNA level was notsignificantly different in chronic hepatitis C patients with or without IR (p =0.761), and with or without MS (p = 0.292).Conclusions:IR and MS are not uncommon in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Theserum HCV RNA level is not associated with the presence of IR or MS inchronic hepatitis C patients with genotype 1 or 2 infection. The impact ofhepatitis C virus on IR is not dose responsive.