Detection of visceral adiposity by ultrasonography and its relation to insulin resistance in HCV patients

ABSTRACT

Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality and represents a major public health problem in Egypt and worldwide, Ultrasonography is a simple non-invasive method for detection of visceral fat, which is directly, correlated with insulin resistance [IR] as well as development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. To assess the validity of detection of visceral adipose tissue area with Ultrasonography and its correlation with IR in HCV patients. The study participants were subcategorized into two groups, Group [I] included 867 healthy subjects with negative [HCV] RNA as a control group. Group [II] included 277 patients with chronic HCV as a study group. The 2 groups were subjected to thorough history taking, full clinical examination, Anthropometric study,ultrasonographic examination and laboratory investigations including liver functions, viral markers, and qualitative PCR for HCV RNA ,lipid profile and glucose profile. This study revealed that Ultrasonography is a simple, non-invasive, safe method in detection of visceral adiposity, which is correlated significantly with IR in chronic HCV patients