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Volume 13 Issue 6 (June) 2024

Original Articles

To study the clinical profile of Hepatitis C virus in tertiary care hospital
Dr. Ankit Mahajan

Aim: To study the clinical profile of Hepatitis C virus in tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: 200 patients diagnosed with hepatitis C infection, confirmed through positive anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA PCR. Patients aged 18 years and above, both male and female, were included in the study. The inclusion criteria were adults aged 18 years and older, a confirmed diagnosis of hepatitis C infection through positive anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA PCR, and patients who provided informed consent. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and patient medical records. The questionnaire included sections on demographic information, clinical history, and laboratory findings. Demographic information comprised age, gender, occupation, and residence. The clinical history included symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, duration of illness, risk factors for HCV infection like history of blood transfusion, intravenous drug use, and tattooing, as well as comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. Results: Fatigue was the most common symptom, reported by 75% of the patients. This was followed by abdominal pain (50%), jaundice (40%), and nausea and vomiting (35%). These symptoms are typical of hepatitis C and highlight the significant burden of disease-related symptoms on affected individuals.The duration of illness varied, with 40% of patients reporting symptoms for 6 to 12 months, 35% for more than 12 months, and 25% for less than 6 months. This variation indicates that a substantial number of patients may experience prolonged symptoms before seeking medical attention or receiving a diagnosis.Risk factors for hepatitis C infection included a history of blood transfusion (30%), intravenous drug use (25%), and tattooing (10%). These findings underscore the importance of these risk factors in the transmission of hepatitis C in this population.Regarding comorbidities, 30% of patients had hypertension, 20% had diabetes, and 10% had chronic kidney disease. The presence of these comorbid conditions can complicate the management and prognosis of hepatitis C. Conclusion: We concluded that the common symptoms, risk factors, and presence of comorbid conditions are consistent with the broader literature. The laboratory findings, including elevated liver enzymes and variable HCV RNA viral loads, highlight the ongoing liver inflammation and the chronic nature of the disease. These results underscore the need for early diagnosis and comprehensive management of hepatitis C to address the associated symptoms, risk factors, and comorbidities effectively.

 
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