Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients of chronic hepatitis C

ABSTRACT

Multiple reports indicate that detection of diabetes mellitus in hepatitis C virus infected patient would remain undiagnosed based on Fasting plasma Glucose criteria. In these cases, HbA1C levels proves to be a beneficial tool in detection of DM, as compared to FpG level alone. To detect DM with the help of serum HbA1C level and fasting plasma glucose level as an early marker of the disorder in HCV infected patients. Cross sectional study conducted at pathology department, Holy Family Hospital [HFH] Rawalpindi. Fasting venous blood samples [5 ml] were collected from 30 consecutive anti-HCV antibodies positive patients. Samples were analyzed for FPG, HbA[1c], total cholesterol and triglycerides. FPG of all 30 patients was normal. HbA[1c] of 20% [n 6] patients showed HbA1c >6.7% indicating DM, while in the remaining 80% [n 24] patients the level was normal [HbA1c Males to females ratio in diabetics, was 21 and in non-diabetics 57. Mean Age [yrs] in diabetics was 38 [range 32-45] and in non-diabetics 39 [range 22-60]. Triglycerides had a significant correlation with duration of HCV infection [r= 0.024] and total cholesterol [r= 0.001]. HbA1c level is a good indicator of early DM in HCV infected patients, especially in cases who manifest a normal FPG level.