Presence of Cirrhosis in newly diagnosed Hepatitis C patients without prior history of Chronic Liver Disease.

摘要

Cirrhosis once established has no treatment except liver transplantation. It ismostly caused by chronic hepatitis C virus which is very common in our region. As many ofthese hepatitis C patients are asymptomatic or have non-specific symptoms, so these patientsseek medical advice late in the course of their disease. Objectives: To find out the presenceof cirrhosis in newly diagnosed hepatitis C patients. Study Design: Descriptive Study. Setting:Hepatitis Clinic, Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. Period: From Marchto September 2018. Material & Methods: All newly diagnosed hepatitis C patients previouslynot known to have chronic liver disease were included in the study. Their demographics,symptoms, baseline CBC, LFT, PT, albumin and ultrasound findings were noted. Cirrhosis wasdiagnosed on the basis of clinical, laboratory and ultrasonography findings. Results: Threehundred and seventy three patients met inclusion criteria. Cirrhosis was present in 64 (17.2%) patients, 52 patients had Child A and 12 has Child B cirrhosis. No patient had Child Ccirrhosis. Mean age of non-cirrhotic patients was 36.74 years and of cirrhotic 47.09 years. Therewas no significant difference regarding gender distribution between the two groups. Seventynine (25 %) non-cirrhotic and 11 (17 %) cirrhotic were asymptomatic at presentation and werediagnosed incidentally. Conclusion: About one sixth of newly diagnosed hepatitis C patientsalready had cirrhosis at presentation.