A Prospective Study on Prevalence of Thyroid Disorders in Hepatitis C Virus Infected Patients in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

ABSTRACT

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with thyroid abnormalities. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the association of thyroid disorders with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in patients who are not getting any antiviral treatment. Methods: Sixty-five patients without pre-existing thyroid abnormality having positive Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection (confirmed on PCR) and not willing for getting anti-viral treatment (interferon) were included in our study. Blood samples from 65 patients were collected at base line, 04 months, 08 months and at 12 months. The level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid antibodies was measured in these samples. Results: Nine patients (13.84%) developed thyroid disorder during the study period. Female patients (66.66%) mostly affected than males (33.33%). Among n=9 affected cases, 66.66% developed hyperthyroidism, 22.22% developed hypothyroidism and 11.11% developed positive thyroid antibody. Conclusion: A close association of thyroid disorder and chronic HCV infection is noted in the study population.