Prevalence of Liver Steatosis and Fibrosis in Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Patients

Approximately 296 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B and another 58 million people are living with hepatitis C, placing them at increased risk of developing cirrhosis, its complications including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Although liver biopsy is the gold standard for the evaluation of fibrosis and steatosis but is invasive. The results of a study determining the prevalence of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) at index presentation using transient elastography concluded that almost one-third of chronic HBV and HCV present with significant fibrosis and moderate to severe steatosis. Metabolic syndrome presence is associated with significant fibrosis and steatosis and should be managed aggressively.