Role of IL28B genotype in the liver stiffness increase in untreated patients with chronic hepatitis C

In the study period, 266 patients were considered. After 5 years we observed the following median stiffness increases: 6.7 kPa [5.1-7.8] in TT/CC, 4.9 kPa [4.1-5.0] in TT/TC, 3.4 kPa [3.2-3.8] in TG/TC and 1.7 kPa [1.2-1.9] in GG/TT. These values were statistically significant in all groups (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis resulted as predictive factors of liver stiffness progression the following: IL28B TT/CC genotype (OR = 4.571; 95%IC = 2.381-12.994; p < 0.001) and IL28B GG/TT genotype (OR = 0.510; 95%IC = 0.289-0.712; p = 0.007). In this study we evidenced that IL28B genotypes were associated with a different level of liver stiffness increase after 5 years and could be used to select the patients who should be treated with priority.