CATARACT SURGERY

FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B & C VIRUS INFECTIONS IN PATIENTS IN RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Objectives: This study is conducted to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B
and hepatitis C virus infection in patients presenting for cataract surgery and to see the pattern of
liver function tests in hepatitis positive and negative patients. Design: Descriptive study, Setting
and Period: The study was conducted from September 2015 to February 2016 at Al-Shifa eye
hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Methods: All the patients presenting for cataract surgery were
included in the study. Liver function tests were performed using automatic chemistry analyzer
while hepatitis B surface antigen and antibodies to hepatitis C virus were checked using third
generation ELISA. Results: A total of 315 patients were included in the study. Male to female
ratio was 1.18:1. Out of these 315 cases, there were 45 (14.29%) patients who tested positive
for hepatitis and all of these 45 cases were positive for anti-HCV antibodies with 18 (40%) males
and 27 (60%) females, showing high predilection for female gender. Majority of patients, about
171 (54.29%), were in the age range of 21-40 years, followed by 57 (18.10%) patients in the
age group of 40-50 years. The mean age of hepatitis positive patients was 33.33±13.37 years.
Regarding liver function tests, the alanine transaminase levels (ALT) were 77.9 and 132 U/L in
hepatitis negative and hepatitis positive patients respectively. Enzyme levels were 1.65 times
higher in hepatitis positive patients than in hepatitis negative patients. Rest of the parameters
was within normal limits. Conclusion: Hepatitis B and C virus infections are common cause of
liver dysfunction in our country. Hepatitis C virus infection is more prevalent than Hepatitis B
virus infection. Hepatitis infection can lead to raised ALT levels even when other parameters of
liver function tests are within normal limits. Therefore, all patients who have raised ALT levels
must undergo hepatitis screening.