Smoking is associated severe fibrosis in hep C

[drofi]

Smoking is bad for your health always, but especially if you have Hepatitis C.
Regards, drofi

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar 18:1-8.

Smoking is associated with steatosis and severe fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C but not B.
Tsochatzis E, Papatheodoridis GV, Manolakopoulos S, Tiniakos DG, Manesis EK, Archimandritis AJ.
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Athens University Medical School, Hippokration General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Objective. The results of retrospective studies suggest an association between smoking, insulin resistance, steatosis and fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC); no data are available for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship, if any, of such factors on liver fibrosis in a cohort of patients with CHB and CHC. Material and methods. The study prospectively included 271 consecutive patients with CHB (n=95) or CHC (n=176) who had undergone liver biopsies. Each patient completed a questionnaire on smoking habits; anthropometric measurements and laboratory examinations were carried out and histological lesions were recorded. Results. In CHC patients, severe fibrosis was independently associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) (OR: 1.180, 95% CI: 1.028-1.354; p=0.019), heavy smoking (OR: 3.923, 95% CI: 1.356-11.348; p=0.012), higher alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) levels (OR: 1.010, 95% CI: 1.003-1.017; p=0.005) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (OR: 1.016, 95% CI: 1.001-1.030; p=0.03) and presence of necroinflammation (OR: 11.165, 95% CI: 1.286-96.970; p=0.029). Moreover, steatosis was independently associated with high gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) values, heavy smoking and presence of necroinflammation. In CHB patients, no association between smoking habits and fibrosis or steatosis was noted. Conclusions. Heavy smoking is associated with severe fibrosis in CHC but not CHB. Heavy smoking is also significantly associated with steatosis in CHC and this could be the link between smoking and fibrosis progression.

[jmjm530]

Thanks for posting. Studies also suggest that cigarette smoking can significantly impact SVR rates in genotypes 2 and 3. As to genotypes 1, they only get the cardiac and carcinogenic benefits

http://www.natap.org/2006/DDW/DDW_25.htm

[Trinity4]

Oh Tippy, I'm there with you.  

5 cigs a day. eat sugar, non-organic meat, vegetables and fruits and if that doesn't get me the tx meds or tap water will so Que Sera, Sera.  

Dofi, thanks for the info though.  

[Tippyclubb]

Oh Bull   Smoked for 35 years now and no fibrosis--you just cant do anything now a days and if I listened to everything I was not suppose to eat , drink, or smoke I would just about starve to death and live on a liquid water diet only.