Retrospective Investigation of Viral Hepatitis Seroprevalence in Patients Admitted at the Outpatient Clinics of Internal Medicine

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim: Viral hepatitis agents include Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C virus, which cause an important public health problem due to serious complications. Patients examined at the outpatient clinics of internal medicine are among main risk groups, as they have concomitant diseases and undergo various procedures. We aimed to investigate retrospectively the seroprevalence of viral hepatitis in outpatients in internal medicine in our region. Material and Methods: HBsAg and Anti-HCV parameters, and demographic data such as age and gender of patients admitted at the outpatient clinics of internal medicine at our hospital between January 2017 and July 2022 were retrospectively evaluated, with HBV-DNA and HCV-RNA levels of those who showed reactivity. Results: HBsAg test results of 2618 patients and Anti-HCV test results of 2943 patients were obtained in this study. The mean age of patients with HBsAg tests was 34.2±15.7, and mean age of patients with Anti-HCV test was 34.3±15.7 years. HBsAg reactivity rate was 0.9%; and the mean age of patients showing reactivity was 47.7±14.4 years. Anti-HCV reactivity rate was %0.1, with a mean age of 52.6±21.3 years. Both HBsAg and Anti-HCV reactivity was not present at the same patient in our study. Conclusion: Early diagnosis of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses decrease the risk of developing complications, easing treatment processes and decreasing the risk of contagion. Thus, increasing use of screening tests as part of preventive medicine is very important.