Hepatitis B and C, two silent killers: Age and gender based prevalence - A one year study in a tertiary care hospital, Lahore

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis B and C infections are two major public health problems with a prevalence of 2.4%and3% worldwide respectively. The epidemiology and burden of HBV and HCV infection varies throughout the world, with country-specific prevalence ranging from <1% to >10%.Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are among the principal causes of severe liver disease; including hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis-related end stage liver disease. Hepatitis B is estimated to result in 563,000 deaths and hepatitis C in 366,000 deaths annually. Pakistan is among the worst afflicted nations. Aim: To assess the age and gender based prevalence of hepatitis B and C in a tertiary care hospital during last one year i.e., from April 2015 to April 2016. Design: Descriptive study. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in Fatima Memorial Hospital, Shadman, Lahore, from April 2015 to April 2016. Methods: A total of 6863 patients of all age groups and both genders, were included in this study who were screened for anti-HCV antibodies and HBsAg by 3rd generation ELISA. Results: Out of 6863 patients,483 patients were positive for both Hepatitis B and C infection with 15 patients having border-line positivity.366(5.33%)were found positive for anti-HCV antibodies and one was border-line positive. Out of 6863 patients, 117(1.70 %) patients were HBV positive whereas14 patients were border-line. The mean age of the patients was 37.04 years. The youngest was 02 years while the oldest was 84 years. The age group (21-30years) has the highest prevalence of 44.2% (n=162/366) and 40.1% (n=47/117) for both HCV and HBV infections, respectively. The frequency of hepatitis C and hepatitis B was higher among the females, 196/366 (53.55%)and64/118 (54.23%) as compared to male, 170/366(46.44%)and 53/118 (45.91%) respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of both Hepatitis B and C is quite high in our population. Rate is higher in young adults and in females.