FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS C SEROCONVERSION IN CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PATIENTS ON HEMODIALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Haemodialysis increases Hepatitis-C seroconversion risk adversely affecting Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) prognosis. This study aimed to determine the frequency of Hepatitis C seroconversion in chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dialysis Unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from March 2016 to January 2019. A pre-designed proforma was used for data collection. A sample of 121 patients of dialysis dependent CKD was enrolled for the study through non-probability consecutive sampling. The Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) was re-estimated from serum creatinine to confirm the diagnosis using Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) study equation. Patients who were Hepatitis C virus (HCV) negative at the start of dialysis, and became positive 3 months post-dialysis were considered having undergone seroconversion. Data were analysed using SPSS-16. Results: Out of 121 participants, 80 (66.1%) were male and 41 (33.8%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 51.0±6.22 years with range from 41 to 61 years. Hepatitis C seropositivity was recorded in 40 (33.06%) of the study participants during the study period. Statistically significant (p<0.05) associations were observed between HCV seropositivity and age and gender of the patients. Conclusion: Hepatitis C infection is a common complication of haemodialysis. Rigorous screening of patients for Hepatitis C and separate machines for Hepatitis C patients can lead to a decrease in the burden of this disease.

Pak J Physiol 2023;19(2):32–5