PREVALENCE OF HEPATITIS B & C VIRUSES IN PATIENTS OF LIVER CIRRHOSIS

Objective: To find out frequency of hepatitis B & C viruses in cases of liver cirrhosis.Material and methods:This cross sectional study was conducted at Department of Medicine Combined Military Hospital, Lahore from March 2018 to September 2019 over the period of 6 months. Total 100 cases of liver cirrhosis were selected and hepatitis B & C viruses was assessed. Results: Out of 100 patients, 59 (59%) were male and 41 (41%) were female, with male to female ratio of 1.44:1.00. The age ranged from 15 years to above 70 years. Majority of the patients (80%) were 20 to 59 years old while only 05% were less than 20 years and 15% were older than 59 years. The patients were divided into 8 groups according to age. Out of all the 100 patients, 28 (28%) were HBsAg positive, 43 (43%) were positive for HCV RNA, both were positive in 06 (06%) and both were negative in 23 (23%) cases. Most of the patients were in grade “B” of Modified Child Pugh’s classifications i.e., 46 patients (46%). Among them 20 were HCV RNA positive and 15 HBsAg positive. While 20 patients (20%) were in grade “A” and 34 patients (34%) in grade “C” according to Child Pugh’s classifications. The risk factors for transmission of HBV and HCV infection were identified in 43% of cases. 57% patients were illiterate. Only 08 patients were vaccinated against HBV and all of them were negative for HBsAg.Conclusion: Chronic HCV is a leading cause of cirrhosis in Bahawalpur, followed by chronic HBV infection. Both the viruses in combination account for about three fourth of the total cirrhotics. As there is no vaccine yet available against hepatitis C virus and it is the commonest cause of cirrhosis in this part of world hence needs more meticulous approach to prevent its transmission, through avoidance of risk factors. Even if the cirrhosis develops, early detection and prompt treatment of these viral infections improve the overall outcome of the patients and prevent from development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: Hepatitis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Cirrhosis