RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS IN PATIENTS WITH HEPATITIS C INFECTION.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to Hepatitis C Infection patients leads to type
2 diabetes mellitus. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Civil hospital, Karachi.
Period: June 2017 to February 2018. Materials and Methods: We screened 1941 patients
and out of them 328 patients had HCV positive serology. HCV serology status was assessed
by checking for HCV antibody. To evaluate incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in patients with
HCV seropositivity, blood glucose levels of all patients were performed. Patients with cirrhosis,
pancreatitis, co-existent hepatitis B and any other co-morbid. According to new diagnostic
criteria by WHO hyperglycaemia is labelled at blood glucose levels of 200mg/dl. Results: We
found total 328 cases showing HCV seropositivity out of total 1941 patients visiting the outpatient
department. There were 213 males and 115 females in the data. The demographic data of
patients suggests that 53% patients lived in rural areas whereas 47% had their residence in
urban areas. This suggests that patients living in rural areas having slightly higher prevalence of
hepatitis C than those in urban areas It suggests that age group 30-40 had highest prevalence
of hepatitis C and age 50-60 had lowest prevalence of hepatitis C. Out of 328, 36% (n=118)
patients had developed diabetes mellitus. The viral load of patients was also performed, and
it was found to be in the range of 1567 to 8706576 IU/ml in males. In females it was 1340 to
6890042IU/ml. The results revealed that males have higher viral load than females. Conclusion:
In patients with HCV infection, there is increased risk of development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Glucose metabolism abnormalities start a lot earlier than systemic manifestations of hepatitis
C. So, blood glucose levels should be regularly checked to prevent complications. Hepatitis C
should be treated at its earliest to help patients achieve improved glycaemic control.