Frequency of hepatitic b and c; surgical patients in rawalpindi general hospital

ABSTRACT

Viral Hepatitis is the most common liver disease today and constitutes a world wide problem [Cuschieri A. et aI, 1995. Surgeons and Health Care Workders are exposed to an increased risk with all types but especially Hepatitis "B" Virus [HBV] and Hepatitis "C" Virus [HCV]. A randomised crossectional study was carried out on 300 surgical patients irrespective of their age, sex or diagnosis. 1 To know the frequency of HBV and HCV. 2 To identify risk factors which are associated with higher incidence in surgical hospitalised patients and 3 To identify the asymptomatic carriers. 154 patients were females and 146 were males, with mean age of 42.5 years. 18.66% [27M-29F] patients were Hepatitis B antigen +ve and 16.33% [26M-23F] patients were Anti HCV +ve. Mean age for HBV and HCV positive patients was 44 years and 41 years respectively. History of operation with or without transfusion was present in 101 patients. Out of which 51 patients were positive for either HBV or HCV. 70 patients had dental treatment, 32 patients were positive. Only 35 patients had history of jaundice with positive results in 21 patients. 190 patients received multiple injections but positive results were present in 28 patients. 76 [12+ve] patients has no significant history of risk factors. One patient acquired HBV from sexual intercourse and one patient had HCV from vaccination. There is high prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in surgical hospitalised patients. So all patients under going surgery should be screened for Hepatitis B antigen and Anti Hepatitis C antibody. All risk factors should be avoided. History of Jaundice only, should not be relied upon, as less than 25% patients had the history