Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Japanese patients infected chronically with hepatitis C virus.

Background: To examine the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and diabetes mellitus (DM) in Japanese populations, a retrospective study was done in 866 patients with chronic viral disease.

Methods: The present study included 707 HCV-infected and 159 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients. The prevalences of HBV- and HCV-related cirrhosis were 32% and 33%, respectively.

Long term effects of phlebotomy on biochemical and histological parameters of chronic hepatitis C.

Objectives: There is considerable evidence that iron is a risk factor for liver injury in chronic hepatitis C. Known as iron reduction therapy, phlebotomy reduces serum ALT activity. This effect might continue with maintenance phlebotomy and result in slower progression of liver fibrosis.