Rate of HCV Seroconversion And Its Associated Factors In Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Background: CKD is a worldwide public health problem. HCV is the most frequent complication of patients on hemodialysis, it is very important to screen patients for HCV seropositivity, asit may lead to severe liver disease, complications in renal transplant and death. Aim: To find the incidence of HCV seropositivity and identify factors associated with hemodialysis patients at the Dialysis Center. Methodology: A Retrospective Cohort study conducted at Hemodialysis Unit, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore from January 2015 to December 2015. Secondary data was collected from all the record files of all the patients included in the study available at Sheikh Zayed hospital. Data was also collected by a questionnaire from patient to determine different variables. Data for age, gender, HCV seroconversion, number of transfusions, emergency dialysis at any other hemodialysis center, surgeries, previous history of HCV, dialyzer reuse and dental procedure etc. was collected and patients were divided in two groups according to HCV status at the end of study. Data for seroconversion was studied for relation with given risk factors using Chi-square test and odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. Binary logistic regression was used to see the adjusted odds ratio of various risk factors for seroconversion. P-value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of the patients was 43.40±16.37 years. The frequency of previous transfusions was 120(48%) The frequency of emergency dialysis outside Shaikh Zayed Hospital was 76(30.4%). The frequency of surgeries was 126(50.4%). The frequency of dental procedures was 102(40.8%). The mean duration of dialysis was 17.6±5.73. The incidence of HCV seroconversion in hemodialysis patients was 124(49.6%). Conclusion: We concluded that the incidence of HCV seroconversion in hemodialysis patients was 8.2% per year and over a period of six years nearly 49.6% who were undergoing dialysis in our dialysis center. Keywords: HCV seroconversion, hemodialysis patients