Serum hs-CRP was correlated with treatment response to pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients

Serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease risks and related mortality. However, the features of hs-CRP in chronic HCV infection (CHC) patients have not been fully addressed. This study aimed to elucidate the characteristics of hs-CRP and its correlation with clinical profiles in CHC patients. Ninety-five CHC patients and 95 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled for serum hs-CRP level, biochemical, and metabolic profiles examinations. Sequential changes of hs-CRP levels in CHC patients receiving peginterferon/ribavirin combination therapy were also evaluated. The mean hs-CRP level of CHC patients was significantly higher than that of healthy controls (0.97 +/- A 0.11 vs. 0.24 +/- A 0.07 mg/L, P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between hs-CRP and both virological and histological factors. CHC patients with a high LDL-C level had significantly higher mean hs-CRP (1.38 +/- A 0.20 mg/L) than that of patients without (0.59 +/- A 0.06 mg/L) (P < 0.001). Hs-CRP level was significantly decreased in 83 patients after peginterferon/ribavirin combination therapy (0.24 vs. 0.62 mg/L, P < 0.001), particularly in 68 patients achieving a sustained virological response (0.25 vs. 0.64 mg/L, P < 0.001). CHC patients had a higher hs-CRP level than healthy controls which could be ameliorated after peginterferon/ribavirin combination therapy.