Epidemiology Of Hepatitis C In Hemodialysis Patients (A cross-sectional study)

Abstract

Abstract Background: Patients undergoing dialysis are at risk of infection with hepatitis C virus due to repeated blood transfusions, frequent hospitalizations and admissions to non-sterile dialysis units where hepatitis C virus prevalence is high, duration of dialysis and non-compliance with internationally recommended general precautions. A study of the prevalence of hepatitis C among hemodialysis patients in the dialysis unit in Damascus Hospitals and the Surgical College in Damascus. Methods and materials: A retrospective cross-sectional study This study targeted the patients of Damascus Hospital and the College of Surgical Hospital in Damascus. Where the sample was randomly selected, about (200) patients were selected who met specific acceptance criteria, the most important of which is the presence of adequate information in the file, while all patients were excluded according to specific exclusion criteria. Results: The sample included 200 patients (37% males), (63% females), the average age was (67 ± 19 years), and the age group most present in the study was (more than 60 years), and the percentage of smokers was 20%, and the average period of referral was in months 18 months and the percentage of patients with hepatitis C (24%). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant relationship between each of the values of (ALT, AST, ALP) and infection with hepatitis C, where the statistical significance was less than 0.05. There was a statistically significant relationship between each of the dialysis period, the value of Creatine, urea, history of renal transfusion, and infection with hepatitis C, where the statistical significance was less than 0.05.