Early Virological Response in Hepatitis C Patients with Insulin Resistance

\ Aim: To determine the frequency of early virological response (EVR) in chronic hepatitis C insulin resistant (IR) patients being treated with conventional interferon. Methods: This descriptive case series study was conducted in Medical Outpatient Department of University College of Medicine & Dentistry from December 2013 to June 2015. One hundred and fifty patients with HCV RNA detected by PCR and insulin resistance (IR) were included. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was used to determine IR and HOMA-IR > 2 were considered to have IR. EVR was defined if HCV RNA had not been detected by PCR after 12 weeks of antiviral treatment Data was collected on a structured proforma and analyzed using SPSS 21. Chi square and t test were used for categorical and continuous variables respectively. Results: Among 150 patients, 92(61.3%) were male while 58(28.7%) were female. Early viral response in the sampled population came out in 55(43.3%) individuals. Early viral response was significantly associated with gender and genotype of chronic hepatitis C. Conclusion: It is concluded that frequency of early viral response in chronic hepatitis C patients with insulin resistance is quite low (43.3%). Hence pegylated interferon should be used preferably.