Uncovering glucose abnormalities in people with hepatitis C infection: should oral glucose tolerance test become a standard of care?

Abstract

Hepatitis C and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) are two rising epidemics with significant impact on each other. Hepatitis C-infected patients have a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes, and diabetic patients have a high prevalence of hepatitis C. There is mounting evidence that glucose abnormalities have a negative impact on the disease progression as well as antiviral therapy outcomes. Utilization of oral glucose tolerance testing has the potential to uncover previously undetected DM as well as impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). Early detection of diabetes and prediabetes with oral glucose tolerance testing in CHC patients can lead to interventions, with significant positive impact on disease progression and antiviral therapy outcomes.