Association of steatosis with histopathological grading and staging of liver biopsies in hepatitis C patients

Objective: To find out the association of steatosis with histopathological grading and staging of liver biopsies in hepatitis C patients. Methodology: This was a prospective study based on liver biopsies of hepatitis C patients. H and E stained slides were examined to determine the histological activity, fibrosis score and steatosis. Results: Out of 50 patients, 28 cases had some degree of steatosis. Out of the total 22 cases with grade one activity maximum number of 14 cases had revealed no steatosis. Majority of the patients with higher grades of steatosis (12 out of 13 patients) had demonstrated severe necroinflammatory score. A significant correlation of steatosis with fibrosis (p 0.005) was also evident from this study. Conclusion: Steatosis is an important cofactor in increasing liver necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Steatosis could therefore be a marker of necroinflammation and a marker of fibrosis progression.