BURDEN AND PROBABLE RISK FACTORS OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is a major public health problem and a leading cause of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma with an estimated global prevalence of 3%. In India, prevalence of HCV infection is estimated to be around 0.5%–1.5%. Limited studies have been conducted regarding epidemiology of HCV infection in our state and the associated risk factors. The present study was conducted to determine the burden and risk factors associated with HCV infection.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the burden and to investigate probable risk factors associated with HCV infection.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study

PARTICIPANTS: Our study included 3000 patients, admitted or attending OPD, who required Hepatitis C testing, with complete clinical details and relevant information.

METHODS: Detection of Anti-HCV antibody in patient’s sera was done by third-generation ELISA and all seropositive samples were further processed by Real-time RT-PCR to detect viral load.

RESULTS: Seroprevalence of 2.3% was observed in our study and 75.71% out of total seropositive patients had detectable viremia. Higher seroprevalence was noted in the age group 20-40 years (2.9%) , in males (1.53%) and in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (16.32%) followed by haematological malignancies (7.17%) and solid organ tumors (5.66%) . Association between seroprevalence of HCV infection and risk factors i. e. history of renal transplant, blood transfusion, dialysis, past surgery, dental extraction was found significant (p < 0.05) .

CONCLUSION: In our study, a seroprevalence of 2.3% for hepatitis C was noted among patients, more in younger than older. All risk factors included in the study were observed to be significant in contracting hepatitis C infection.

IMPLICATION: Better prevention, screening and treatment methods for Hepatitis C infection need to be identified and described. There is a need to educate the general population about the virus and various associated risk factors.