Prevalence of Hepatitis C Infection Among Diabetics Type 2 at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Background: HCV virus infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus are two major public health problems in Egypt. Egypt has the highest HCV virus prevalence in the world and is considered the ninth in rank of the highest prevalence of diabetes worldwide. The mutual relationship between diabetes and increased HCV infection may be due to the association of HCV with hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance and decrease of adiponectine synthesis as well as the nature of diabetes and its inherent complications and/or frequent parental exposure. Objective: determination of the prevalence of HCV infection in type-2 diabetics in Sharkia Governorate and to explore the predominant risk factors for HCV infection and its relation to some demographic parameters of this locality. Subjects and methods: A cross sectional randomized study was conducted to 642 patients, regardless of gender, body weight, educational level or socioeconomic levels, at multicentre managing diabetic patients at Sharkia governorate. All patients were subjected to detection of HCV-ab by third generation ELISA and HBA1C level Results:The prevalence of HCV infection among type 2 diabetic patients at Sharkia governorate approximates 38.7 %. Higher prevalence was detected among patients between 45 & 65 years old, low socioeconomic level, low educational level, and those who share personal utensils, have other family members infected with HCV. Patients who previously transfused, previous hospitalized, previously received parenteral anti-bilharzial therapy and those receiving insulin injections are also at high risk. Conclusion: As high as 39% of type-2 diabetics at Sharkia Governorate are HCV-infected. Apart from classic risk factors, The most significant independable factors associated with development of HCV infection in type 2 diabetics are low socioeconomic standard and low educational level. Previous blood transfusion, family members infected with HCV, parenteral antibilharzial treatment, sharing personal utensils and previous hospitalization may play also a role.