HFE mutations and chronic hepatitis C: H63D and C282Y heterozygosity are independent risk factors for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis

Abstract Background/Aims : The impact of heterozygous HFE mutations on the course of chronic hepatitis C and iron indices was studied. Methods : Ferritin, transferrin saturation (TS), serum iron, C282Y and H63D mutations were determined in 401 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and 295 healthy controls. Liver histologies were available in 217 and HCV genotypes in 339 patients. Results : Allele frequencies of the C282Y and H63D mutation did not differ between HCV patients and healthy controls (6.95 vs. 6.2%; 14.75 vs. 16.4%; n.s.). HFE heterozygous HCV patients had higher ferritin (349±37 vs. 193±15 μ g/l; P P μ g/dl; P P P P P P P Conclusions : C282Y or H63D heterozygosity is an independent risk factor for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in HCV infected individuals. Screening for HFE mutations should be considered in HCV infection.