THE EFFECTS OF LIVER DYSFUNCTION ON SERUM LIPOPROTEIN LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS AND CHRONIC HEPATITIS.

Background : The liver plays a main role in the production and metabolism of lipoproteins, and then impaired lipid metabolism is often seen in patients with liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis (CH). As a result, plasma lipid levels could be as useful indicators of liver function and patient's prognosis especially in liver cirrhosis. Methods: We measured the lipoprotein levels in 77 consecutive patients with liver cirrhosis and CH. 47 men (61%) and 30 women (39%) with mean age 43years (SD=16.4) and mean BMI 26(SD=4.2) have been recruited as patients  group. Child score and MELD scale was determined in patients group.  The control group was age and sex matched with patients group. Results : In case group, the levels of HDL LDL, TG, and total cholesterol were significantly lower than control group (p <0.0001). In patients with cirrhosis, the levels of LDL, HDL and total cholesterol were progressively lower when comparing patients in Child class A with patients in class C (p<0.0001).This difference was more significant  in LDL and total cholesterol and between upper Child scores ,similarly decreasing in LDL, HDL ,and total cholesterol  level was observed when  MELD score increased (P<0.0001). Conclusion: There is a correlation between plasma lipid levels and liver function, so it may be mentioned as an accessible and reliable indicator of liver function in cirrhotic and CH patients.