The Effect of Prednisone on Serum Cholesterol in Patients with Cirrhosis of the Liver

Abstract

Of 87 patients with liver cirrhosis, 47 received treatment with placebo (16 women and 31 men) and 40 with prednisone (16 women and 24 men). Serum cholesterol and liver function tests were measured before the commencement of the treatment and after an interval of 6 and 12 months, respectively. In all 4 groups treated, a significant rise was found in the serum cholesterol level within the first 6 months, but the rise was nevertheless significantly greater in the prednisone-treated than in the placebo-treated patients. A significant fall in serum bilirubin was found in all patients, but only the prednisone-treated patients showed a significant indication of normalization of the other liver function tests. Correlation analysis failed to show any significant relationship between the rises found in cholesterol level and the changes in the individual biochemical liver function test in all groups. In all patients, a fall was found in the serum cholesterol level from the 6-month value to the 12-month value, but the fall was statistically significant only for the group of prednisone-treated men. During this period, no change was found in the liver function tests mentioned. It is concluded that the serum cholesterol level in patients with cirrhosis is initially raised during prednisone treatment, but that other factors must also play a role in the changes demonstrated.

Key-words:

• Liver cirrhosis
• prednisone
• serum cholesterol