Predictors of Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Chronic HCV Infection

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the independent variables for the degree of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional retrospective study, the patients were divided in two groups as Group A (patients with fibrosis score 0-2) and Group B (patients with fibrosis score 3-4) and they were compared in terms of age, gender, body mass index, alcohol consumption, presence of diabetes, serum HCV RNA, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, albumin, globulin and alkaline phosphatase levels, prothrombin time, blood thrombocyte count, splenomegaly in ultrasonographic examination, HCV genotype and liver steatosis. Results: Of 201 patients, 93 (46.3%) were males; the median age was 51 (range: 18-77) years. It was found that serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, age, prothrombin time and the presence of splenomegaly were independent variables predictive of advanced liver fibrosis. Odds ratio and p values were 1.984 and 0.013 for gamma-glutamyl transferase, 1.633 and 0.018 for aspartate aminotransferase, 1.861 and 0.003 for age, 5.598 and 0.008 for splenomegaly and 0.541 and 0.007 for prothrombin time, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that advanced age, elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transferase and, aspartate aminotransferase levels, prolonged prothrombin time and the presence of splenomegaly are independent variables determining severe liver fibrosis.