Neurometabolites Alterations Judged by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy may Underlie Chronic Hepatitis C associated Fatigue

Abdel_Salam O.A; Elshazly T.A; Amr M El-rabat; Ali A.M

Volume : III, Issue : VI, June - 2014

Neurometabolites Alterations Judged by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy may Underlie Chronic Hepatitis C associated Fatigue

Abdel_salam O. A, Elshazly T. A, Amr M El Rabat, Ali A. M

Abstract :

Objectives: To evaluate the relationship between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and severity of fatigue and to determine neurochemicals alterations using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) Patients & Methods: 100 CHC were categorized using modified Child-Pugh classification and underwent evaluation of quality of life using CLDQ questionnaire, sense of fatigue using FSS, global fatigue using the 11-point visual analogue fatigue scale (VAFS) and to determine the impact of fatigue on their daily life using MFIS. All patients underwent MRI and MRS examinations. Results: Mean total CLDQ score and VAFS mean score as well frequency of lower MFIS of Class A patients was significantly higher than Class B and C and in Class B than Class C. Mean FSS of Class A patients was significantly lower compared to other patients. Mean total MFIS score was significantly lower in Class A than in Class C patients. Neurochemicals concentration was significantly decreased in all patients than controls with significantly lower NAA concentration in Class C than in Class A patients. Conclusion: Fatigue is a prominent complaint of CHC patients and is magnified with the more liver derangement and mostly associated with altered concentrations of neurochemicals judged by MRS.