ABSTRACT
Objective: To find out the prevalence of type II diabetes in viral hepatitis B and C patients of different age groups with and without cirrhosis
Methods: This observational study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi, during the period June 2007 to June 2008. Eighty hepatitis B and C virus infection positive patients with and without cirrhosis were selected for study after confirmation of their diagnosis by ELISA method. Normal subjects were selected as controls for study. Blood glucose was estimated by Hexokinase method, while enzymes assay was done by enzymatic [kinetic] method. Data analysis including paired and correlation analysis were carried out and P value upto 0.05 was considered significant
Results: The number of diabetic patients was high [55%] in age group 40-49 [55%] in age group 40-49. Patients with cirrhosis of hepatitis C were having high risk [40%] than of hepatitis B [23%] of developing diabetes. This trend was also observed in patients of without cirrhosis [27% hepatitis C, 10% hepatitis B]. Increasing fasting blood glucose level associated with increase in hepatic enzymes [AST and ALT] levels was observed. It was an indicator of ongoing liver damage in co-morbid condition of viral hepatitis
Conclusion: In addition to the derangement of liver function, patients of viral hepatitis B and C can be at the risk of development of type II diabetes. Earlier measures are needed for the prevention of the disease at earlier stage of development