Abstract:
Background: The nutritional status of patients on maintenance hemodialysis has a direct impact on
their morbidity and mortality. Periodic nutritional assessment coupled with timely intervention has
significant role in improving quality of life of those patients.
Aim: To study the relationship of serum anti-HCV positivity and levels of serum Albumin (marker of
malnutrition) among patients of ERSD who are on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).
Study design & duration: Case Control Study Data was collected during 2016.
Study setting: Department of Nephrology, Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital Lahore.
Methods: A Case Control Study was conducted with total of 128 patients (Cases=35 Anti-HCV
positive, Controls=93 Anti-HCV negative) participating in study. Purposive sampling was done.
Standardized Questionnaire was used to collect data after taking their informed consent. Following
serum markers were measured in both groups; Albumin, Calcium, Phosphate, Parathyroid Hormone,
Uric Acid and Hemoglobin. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data.
Result: 35 Anti-HCV positive and 93 Anti-HCV negative patients were included in the study. There is
statistically significant difference in albumin and hemoglobin levels between case and control groups,
but no difference was found in rest of the serum markers. Average albumin in case group is 3.5579
and in control group is 3.7732 (p=0.055).
Conclusion: Anti-HCV positive patients have lowalbumin levels in serum as compared to control
group. However, Hemoglobin levels are better controlled in Anti-HCV negative patients as compared to
control group.
