FREQUENCY OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA;

PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS C INFECTION

Abstract

Objective: To determine frequency of thrombocytopenia in patients with Chronic Hepatitis C infection. Methods: A 6 months cross sectional study was carried out to determine frequency of thrombocytopenia in all patients admitted with chronic hepatitis c infection in all medical units at Civil Hospital Karachi, from April 2, 2012 to October 1, 2012. Patients with platelet count <150,000/microL was labeled as having thrombocytopenia and categorized according to the Child-Pugh Scoring. Patients with Child-Pugh score <7 was categorized in Grade A, 7-9 in Grade B and >9 in Grade C. Results: Out of 141 patients, 46(32.6%) were male and 65(46%) were female with 1.17:1 male to female ratio. The average age of patients was 47.25 ± 11.52 years (95%CI: 45.33 to 49.17). Similarly average duration of illness was 3.06 ± 1.78 Years (Range 8 months to 9 Years) and average platelet count was 165156.74± 176324.9. Seventy five patients (53%) had thrombocytopenia (platelet count <150000/microL). The average age of thrombocytopenic patients was 48.53±12.34 years and duration of illness was 3.7 ± 1.81 years. Regarding child Pugh class, 35(24.8%) cases had in class A, 49(34.8%) in class B and 57(40.4%) in class C. Thrombocytopenia was most common in above 60 years of age that is 10.7% (8/75) and 22.7% to 32% in all age groups. Conclusions: In our study the frequency of thrombocytopenia was found to be higher. Patients of age more than 60 years and of child-Pugh class C affected the most.