Background

Acute viral hepatitis is a parenchymal liver disease, characterized by widespread liver damage in which variable number of hepatocytes undergo necrosis. This results in different pattern of lipid abnormalities, which may be a prognostic factor in deciding the severity of acute Viral Hepatitis.

Aims

To know the pattern of lipid anomalies and severity of hepatic damage in acute viral hepatitis from the quantum of lipid profile. In addition, to find out if lipid profile helps in prognostication.

Methods

Case control study of patients of acute viral hepatitis was done. Seventy cases of acute viral hepatitis were studied along with seventy age and sex matched controls. All routine investigations, serological viral markers and fasting serum lipid profiles were analysed .All data was analysed using t test. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Baseline parameters were similar between cases and control .On comparing the results of lipid profiles in both , the Serum Triglycerides , Cholesterol and LDLc levels  were significantly raised (p<0.001) and HDLc levels were significantly decreased(p<0.001) in acute viral hepatitis when compared to controls. HDLc was significantly lower (p<0.001)  in cases of acute viral hepatitis with hepatic encephalopathy in contrast to those without it.              

Conclusion

Triglycerides Cholesterol and LDLc were significantly raised and HDLc level were significantly decreased when compared to controls. HDLc was significantly low in cases with hepatic encephalopathy. In conclusion, estimation of serum HDLc allows better assessment of hepatic function and evaluation of prognosis of patients with acute viral hepatitis.