Assessment of the nutritional status and serum leptin level of hepatitis C virus-infected Egyptian patients with and without schistosomal hepatic periportal fibrosis

Background Schistosomiasis has been a major public health problem in Egypt. Moreover, Egypt has been widely regarded as having the highest recorded prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the world. Malnutrition is prevalent in all forms of liver disease. Objective The aim of the work was to assess the nutritional status of HCV-infected patients with and without schistosomal hepatic periportal fibrosis. Patients and methods This study was carried out on 93 men. A total sample size of 93 patients was taken. The patients were divided into three groups of 31 each: group I included 31 patients having HCV; group II included 31 patients having mixed schistosomal hepatic periportal fibrosis and HCV; and group III included 31 healthy controls. Serum leptin was measured. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed to all participants to detect the degree of fibrosis according to the WHO scoring system. Nutritional assessment was carried out using anthropometric measurements. Body fat content was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results This study showed that the fat content was higher in group I than in group II and was higher in controls than in patients. Serum leptin level was significantly higher in group II than in group I. Conclusion Affection with HCV and/or schistosomal hepatic periportal fibrosis affects the nutritional status of the individuals affected, with more pronounced nutritional derangement in patients with both diseases.