The prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among hepatitis C patients in Chinese Han population

Objective To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among hepatitis C patients in Chinese Han population. Methods This was a multicenter, cross-sectional study. A total of 997 Chinese Han patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection were enrolled. Demographic data, anthropometric data and clinical parameters related to metabolic syndrome were collected. Statistical analysis was performed by t-test (normal distribution) or Mann-Whitney U two-sample test (non-normal distribution) and χ2 test. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine the parameters significantly related to metabolic syndrome. Results Among the 997 patients, 170 (17.1%) patients were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Binary logistic regression showed that genotype 2 (OR=1.594; 95%CI: 1.045-2.431, P=0.030), older age (OR=1.040; 95%CI: 1.022-1.058, P<0.01), overweight (OR=3.876; 95%CI: 2.593-5.792, P<0.01), fatty liver history (OR=2.106; 95%CI: 1.384-3.204, P=0.001), homeostasis model assessment insulin (HOMA-IR) (OR=1.263; 95%CI: 1.118-1.427, P<0.01), fasting insulin (OR=0.949; 95%CI: 0.915-0.985, P=0.006), lower serum albumin level (OR=0.957; 95%CI: 0.915-1.000, P=0.049) and higher γ-GT level (OR=1.004; 95%CI: 1.000-1.008, P=0.0041) were all significantly associated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Conclusions Hepatitis C patients with genotype 2, older age, overweight, fatty liver history, higher HOMA-IR, lower fasting insulin level, lower serum albumin level or higher γ-GT level should be screened for metabolic syndrome. Key words: Hepatitis C chronic; Genotype; Metabolic syndrome