RESUMO
Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on maintenance HD.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the hemodialysis unit of a military hospital of Bangladesh from October 2013 to March 2014 and included 141 maintenance HD patients. All patients were assessed by HBsAg and anti-HCV antibodies in addition to routine liver function tests.Results: The age range of the study subjects were 18-70 years, and the majority (85.11%) were male. Among them 22 (15.60%) were positive for anti HCV, 5(3.5%) were positive for HBsAg, and 3 patients (2.13%) were positive for both HBsAg and anti-HCV. The duration of hemodialysis was higher in anti-HCV positive patients (49±24 vs. 25±10 months, p <0.05) than anti-HCV negative ones. Anti-HCV positive patients in this study received a higher number of blood transfusion (units) than anti-HCV negative patients (7.5±4.3 vs. 2.8±1.7 units, p <0.05). HBsAg positive patients also received a higher number of blood transfusion (units) than HBsAg negative patients (8.2±3.1 vs. 3.2±1.2 units, p <0.05).Conclusions: Hepatitis C virus was the major form of hepatitis in HD patients in this study. The duration of HD was higher in anti-HCV positive patients; the numbers of blood transfusion units were higher in patients positive for HCV and HBV than the negative ones.
RESUMO
Background: Proof of a circadian rhythm in the occurrence of cerebral infarction and other types of stroke might provide clues to factors which immediately precipitate these events, which in turn might lead to more rational treatments. The aims of the current study were to find out the circadian variation of stroke onset and to determine the risk factors related to circadian variation.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary hospital of Bangladesh from July to December 2014 among 67 diagnosed cases of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke of first attack. Times of onset of stroke and wake-sleep state were recorded.Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 62.1 years, 64.2% were male. Among them, 59.7% had an ischemic stroke and 40.3% had a hemorrhagic stroke. The occurrence of stroke was most common during 6 am to 12 pm (47.8%), followed by 12 am to 6 am (25.4%), 12 pm to 6 pm (17.9%), and 6 pm to 12 am (9.0%). Circadian variation of stroke was homogenous and statistically insignificant in association with age group when categorized as below 65 years and 65 years or above years, sex, smoking habit, and presence or absence of diabetes mellitus, atrial fibrillation, and dyslipidemia. But hypertension and ischemic heart disease (IHD) were significantly associated with circadian variation of stroke. The occurrence of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke was most common from 6 am to 12 pm (47.5% and 48.1%) respectively. When considered separately, significant circadian variation noted for ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic strokes were also noted.Conclusions: The study contributes further evidence for the circadian variation in the occurrence of ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Attempts to prevent their occurrence must take into account this circadian variation.