OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of hepatitis C and mode of transmission in patients of chronic liver disease (CLD). DESIGN: A descriptive, non-interventional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana over a period of 6-year (January 1997-December 2002). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 1074 patients of chronic liver disease admitted to the department of medicine due to HCV. Their variables were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1074 patients, comprising of 564 of chronic hepatitis (group I) and 510 of cirrhosis liver (group II) respectively were studied. The male to female ratio was 2:1 in both groups. Anti-HCV antibody was present in 51% in group I and 57% in group II. Use of syringes (62%) was an important risk factor. CONCLUSION: HCV is a leading cause of CLD. The leading risk factor identified is the use of contaminated syringes.
OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency of hepatitis C and mode of transmission in patients of chronic liver disease (CLD). DESIGN: A descriptive, non-interventional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana over a period of 6-year (January 1997-December 2002). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 1074 patients of chronic liver disease admitted to the department of medicine due to HCV. Their variables were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1074 patients, comprising of 564 of chronic hepatitis (group I) and 510 of cirrhosis liver (group II) respectively were studied. The male to female ratio was 2:1 in both groups. Anti-HCV antibody was present in 51% in group I and 57% in group II. Use of syringes (62%) was an important risk factor. CONCLUSION: HCV is a leading cause of CLD. The leading risk factor identified is the use of contaminated syringes.