Insulin resistance and insulin secretion in chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Background/Aims Diabetes mellitus (DM) is frequently observed in patients with chronic hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus infection (CHC). The present study was designed to determine the pathogenic factors responsible for glucose intolerance in CHC patients. Methods A total of 131 patients with CHC were enrolled in this study. Insulin resistance and β-cell function were determined after 75 g oral glucose tolerance tests. Results Glucose intolerance was detected in 27.5% (36/131) of CHC patients; 10 had DM and 26 impaired glucose tolerance. HOMA-R [insulin 0×glucose 0/22.5] was greater in patients with both impaired glucose tolerance and DM than in those with normal glucose tolerance (P<0.01). Matsuda index [104/√(mean insulin×mean glucose×glucose 0×insulin 0)] was lower in diabetic patients than in those with normal glucose tolerance (P<0.05). The insulinogenic index [Δinsulin 30−0/Δglucose 30−0] and ΔC-peptide 30 [ΔC-peptide 30−0/Δglucose 30−0] were significantly lower even in patients with impaired glucose tolerance than in patients with normal glucose tolerance (P<0.01). Conclusions Both insulin resistance and β-cell dysfunction contribute to glucose intolerance in CHC patients