الفهرس 
HyperlipidemiaOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Hepatitis C is a disease with significant global impact. According to the World Health Organization there are 130 - 150 million people chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), corresponding to 2 – 2.5% of the world’s total population. Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV in the world. Overall prevalence of HCV antibody is about 12% among the general population and reaches 40% in persons 40 years of age and above in rural areas. Hyperlipidemia is an elevation of plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, or both. According to Egyptian Ministry of Health, 2006, there are 19.4 % of Egyptian population are suffering from hyperlipidemia. Many patients with chronic HCV are noted to have a degree of steatosis present on their liver biopsies. Hepatic steatosis is defined as excessive lipid accumulation within the hepatocyte cytoplasm and has been more recently recognized as a significant cause for cirrhosis. Liver steatosis diseases such as Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which are the most common chronic liver diseases in the world, are closely associated with metabolic syndrome (obesity, elevated blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and elevated fasting plasma glucose). Overall, steatosis, whether metabolic or HCV induced, worsens the sequence of events leading to advanced fibrosis in patients with HCV and needs to be addressed when managing our patients with HCV.
The objectives of the study aimed to assess the prevalence of hyperlipidemia among Egyptian chronic hepatitis C patients. The study was a retrospective study carried out on Cairo Liver Center because it is a strong data base for chronic hepatitis C patients attending the center in the form of medical records with reliable data about health status and investigation results needed for the study.
The study targeted chronic hepatitis C patients who attended Cairo Liver Center and matched with the following selection criteria:
Inclusion criteria:
• Age: older than 18 years.
• Sex: both sexes were included.
• Nationality: only Egyptians.
• Chronic hepatitis C patients with or without cirrhosis.
Exclusion criteria:
• Uncompensated cirrhosis
• Uncontrolled DM
• Associated renal diseases
• Other etiology for liver diseases
• Co infection with Hepatitis B
• Thyroid diseases
• Hepatocellular carcinoma
• Patients who currently taken drugs that elevate lipids such as: anabolic steroids, retinoids, oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids, thiazide diuretics and beta blockers.
The sample size of the study was 502 patients whose data was retrieved from their health records and the data contained the following:
• History data and clinical examination.
• Full laboratory tests:
- CBC.
- Liver function tests: ALT, AST, Bilirubin (D&T), serum albumin, prothrombin time & concentration.
- Renal profile: Blood urea, serum creatinine & serum uric acid
- Blood sugar: FBS & 2HPPBS.
- Lipid profile: total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL.
• Abdominal U/S: from patients’ records with stress on hepatic size and echogenecity.
The results of this study showed the following findings:
1. Hyperlipidemia has a considerable prevalence among chronic hepatitis C patients. Hypertriglyceridemia was the most prevalent serum lipid among chronic hepatitis C patients.
2. In Egypt, hyperlipidemia is slightly increased in chronic hepatitis C patients comparing with general population.
3. Body mass index may be considered as an important risk factor for presence of hyperlipidemia and subsequent related liver pathology as NAFLD and NASH.
4. Hyperlipidemia in chronic hepatitis C patients may be associated with bright liver by ultrasound imaging with high probability of incidence of NAFLD.
The study recommended the followings:
• Screening for fasting lipid profile in all chronic hepatitis C patients.
• Considering of NAFLD and NASH among chronic hepatitis C patients who are suffered from hyperlipidemia.
• Keeping BMI within normal range for all patients of chronic hepatitis C regardless their degree of disease.
• Many efforts should be paid for awareness about hazards of hyperlipidemia in chronic hepatitis C patients.
• Encouraging researches on benefits and safety of hyperlipidemia treatment in chronic hepatitis C infection.