Hepatitis C virus Infection and Diabetic microvascular complications

ABSTRACT

The microvascular complications are the important cause of mortality and morbidity of either type 1 or 2 DM. Great efforts have been made to recognize the possible susceptibility or etiologic factors of these complications; whether genetic or environmental. Hepatitis C virus infection is another prevalent problem in our community. The present work aimed to study the possible impact, if any of HCV infection on microvascular complications. A total 70 diabetic patients 17 type 1 and 53 type 2, were included [20 males and 50 females] with age ranging from 13 to 72 years and 30 healthy volunteers with matched age and sex were taken as a control group. Complete history taking and full clinical examination were done. Laboratory work up was done for patients and control including urinalysis, blood sugar, serum creatinine, urinary albumin excretion, lipogram, liver function tests, HbAlc and HCV antibodies. Fundus examination was done for patients and control. Diabetics were found to have a prevalence rate of HCV infection of 32%. Prevalence of microvascular complication, nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy were found to be relatively higher in diabetics with HCV infection. Advanced grades of microvascular complication were more prevalent in HCV-positive diabetics. It was concluded that HCV infection is possibly a potential aggravating factor for microvascualr complications