Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus and Other Comorbidities in Dialysis Population of Elbasan City, Albania

Abstract

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among patients on dialysis (HD). The aims of this study were to estimate the presence of HCV and other comorbidities in the dialysis population of Elbasan city, and to compare the survival outcomes of those patients who started dialysis with haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Methods: In the present study, we have used a socio-demographic questionnaire to collect data from HD patients. We studied 108 dialysis patients in dialysis Centre for 1 year. Software SPSS version 20.0, were used to analyzed and evaluate the data. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Over of all 108 patients with dialysis, HCV infection was present in 15.7% of them. Male patients were 74% and female 26%. Age groups 50-59 and 60-69 were the most frequent among dialysis patients with 35.1% and 34.25% cases respectively. There are a significant association for age of dialysis patients and the presence of HCV for p < 0.001. Regarding the co-morbidities in dialysis patients our findings suggest that diabetes mellitus tip 2 (16/108 patients), Hypertension arterial HTA (56/108), Coronary artery disease (16/108), and Arrhythmia (12/108) were more prevalent diseases in our patients. A significant association we found for cardiovascular disease in dialysis patients and the presence of HCV p = 0.0001. Based to Kaplan-Meier and univariate Cox regression performed to estimate risk factor in haemodialysis patients, adjusted survival rates HD vs. PD patients was significantly different (hazard ratio 14.75, CI 95% [8.92-44.76]) p value < 0.0001). Conclusion: In this study we have observed a significant association of HCV infection with some socio-demographic data of dialysis patients, and also with cardiovascular disease. We suggest that prospective studies should be performed to evaluate the role of HCV infection and other comorbidities in dialysis patients.