Summary
Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to increased insulin resistance, but the dynamics of insulin resistance in HCV-infected patients receiving pegylated interferon plus ribavirin remain elusive. Methods: This prospective study enrolled HCV-infected patients who received pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Patients were classified according to the attainment of sustained virological response (SVR). Insulin resistance was measured using homeostatic model assessmentinsulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The change in HOMA-IR at baseline, the end of treatment, and 24 weeks after the end of treatment was compared in patients who achieved SVR and those who did not. Results: A total of 65 patients participated in this study, of which 46 (71%) achieved SVR. Overall, The HOMA-IR changed significantly during antiviral therapy, with the median values [interquartile range (IQR)] of 3.7 (1.6e10.0) prior to the treatment, 1.5 (0.8e2.9) at the end, and 1.6 (0.9e3.1) at 24 weeks after completion of therapy. However, only patients who achieved SVR had significant off-therapy reduction of HOMA-IR, with median values of 1.3 (IQR, 0.7e2.6) at 24 weeks off therapy and 3.6 (IQR, 1.5e9.9) at baseline (p < 0.0001). In those without SVR, the HOMA-IR measured 24 weeks after treatment completion (median, 2.2; IQR, 1.9e4.7) did not differ from baseline values (median, 3.9; IQR, 2.2e10.0; p Z 0.5). Conclusion: Dual therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin ameliorated IR in HCVinfected patients, but the off-therapy improvement of IR was limited to those who attained SVR.
