Correlation of Antithrombin Functional Status and Levels with Liver Fibrosis in Patients with Hepatitis C.

BACKGROUND

Abnormal levels of coagulation factors and their inhibitors have shown association with liver diseases. The objective of this study was to determine the qualitative and quantitive status of antithrombin (AT) in patients with chronic liver disease associated hepatitis C infection and their correlation with severity of liver fibrosis.

METHODS

In this study, 75 (43 male and 32 female) known patients with chronic liver disease associated hepatitis C infection were enrolled. AT activity and quantitative immunoassays were carried out using Stachrom AT reagent kit (Diagnostica Stago, France) and Liatest AT reagent (Diagnostica Stago, France), respectively. Hepatic biopsies were obtained and graded for liver fibrosis from all study participants.

RESULTS

Of the 75 patients, 45 had normal AT while 30 showed lower activity of AT. Similarly, the quantitative assay showed reduced levels of AT in 30 patients and normal levels in 45 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

In the early stages of liver fibrosis, AT activity and antigenic levels were found to be normal or minimally affected. While advanced stages of the disease showed markedly reduced levels of AT and activity. Hence, it can be concluded that the degree of fibrosis affects the status of AT.