FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE AT TERTIARY CARE SETTINGS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of hepatitis C virus infection in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at a tertiary care settings. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro form 10th April to 10th October 2013. Patients of either sex and ages form 30-65 years having COPD of at least three years who gave informed and written consent were enrolled. Blood samples of COPD patients were sent to hospital laboratory for detection of HCV antibodies via second generation ELISA. Patients having asthma, chronic liver disease, history of blood transfusion and surgical procedure in previous six months were excluded. RESULTS: Mean age of enrolled participants was 44.41±3.5 years, ranging from 30-65 years. Male and female ratio was 1.8:1. Mean duration of illness was 3.55±0.222 years. Frequency of hepatitis C virus positivity in patients of COPD was 9(8.4%). Of 59 patients of 45 years of age were positive for HCV (p=0.153). Of 69 male patients, 3(4.3%) were positive for HCV compared to 6/38(15.8%) female patients (p=0.05). Comparing analysis of HCV positivity with regard to duration of COPD, 1/53 (1.9%) patients with duration of illness up-to 3.5 years was positive for HCV compared to 8/58 (14.8%) patients with duration of illness of >3.5 years (p=0.0017). CONCLUSION: Frequency of hepatitis C virus positivity in COPD patients was 8.4%. Earlier and prompts treatment should be initiated to minimize HCV related morbidity. KEY WORDS: Hepatitis C (MeSH), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (MeSH), Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease (MeSH)