Association between hepatitis B/C viral infection, chronic kidney disease and insulin resistance in individuals undergoing general health screening

Abstract

Aim: Previous studies have shown that hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be associated with glomerulonephritis. Methods: In the current study, we investigated the possible association between HBV/HCV infection, estimated GFR (eGFR) and albuminuria by analyzing cross-sectional data from individuals undergoing general health screening. Results: Of 12 535 individuals enrolled, 130 (1.0%) and 72 (0.6%) tested positive for HBV surface antigen and HCV core antigen, respectively. In comparison with hepatitis-negative individuals, the prevalence of low eGFR and albuminuria was significantly greater in individuals with HCV infection, but not in those with HBV infection. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose showed that HCV infection was positively associated with low eGFR (odds ratio 1.63 [95% CI 0.95-2.80, P = 0.077]) and with albuminuria (odds ratio 2.00 [95% CI 1.06-3.76, P = 0.003]). By contrast, prevalence of neither low eGFR nor albuminuria was greater in individuals with HBV infection than in hepatitis-negative subjects. Further adjustment for either HOMA-IR or serum alanine aminotransferase levels abolished the statistical significance in the association between HCV infection and albuminuria. Conclusion: Our data suggest that although both HCV and HBV infection are associated with increased insulin resistance, the different viruses may have different impacts on chronic kidney disease among Japanese individuals undergoing general health screening. © 2008 The Japan Society of Hepatology.