Women with hepatitis C who consume more cholesterol are at higher risk of liver-related deaths, a recent study has found.

Researchers from the University of Washington in Seattle analysed data from 657 people with hepatitis C including some with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis.

Compared with women whose cholesterol intake was within the recommended guidelilnes, women who consumed more cholesterol had significantly increased risk for liver-related death or transplant in women living with hepatitis C with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis, the authors said.

Interestingly, the relationship between cholesterol intake and liver-related death or transplant was significantly different between women and men. The link between high cholesterol intake and adverse liver-related outcomes was seen only in women.

MD Magazine reported that that most of the women in the study were post-menopausal with a median age of 52, and that the authors suspected the effect of dietary cholesterol is especially pronounced in women without the protective effect of oestrogen.  

The authors suggest future studies be conducted to assess whether reducing cholesterol intake among women who consume an excessive amount, can reduce hepatitis C-related mortality.

The article was published in the British Journal of Nutrition.