ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the nutritional risk factors in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), who have been accepted pegylated interferon (IFN) and ribavirin (RVB) therapy (PR). Methods A total of 175 CHC patients treated with PR were included in this study. Data of heights, body weights, and calculated body mass index (BMI) were recorded in patients. At the same time, patients were evaluated nutritional risk with Nutritional Risk Screen 2002 (NRS 2002), and divided into risk group (n=35) and non-risk group (n=140). Results There were significant differences in age, HCV genotype (1b type and not 1b), clinical type (CHC/cirrhosis), the length of treatment time and the tolerance degree for PR therapy between two groups (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=16.068,β=2.777), IFN dosage (OR=3.096, β=1.130), RVB dosage (OR=3.382, β=1.219) and clinical type (OR=5.092, β=1.628) were nutritional risk factors. The HCV genotype (OR=0.384; β=-0.957) was protective factors for nutritional risk. Conclusion There is higher occurrence rate of nutritional risk for CHC patients accepted PR therapy. The dependant nutritional risk factors are advanced age, intolerance for PR therapy and cirrhosis associated CHC. HCV without genotypes 1b is not a nutritional risk factor.