Seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection in type 2 diabetes mellitus

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis C is an emerging disease with different studies showing varying prevalence rates across India. In several studies, prevalence of hepatitis C infection was found to be higher in diabetics than nondiabetics. However, none has been reported from India. OBJECTIVES: The aim was to determine the sero-prevalence of hepatitis C infection in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of all T2DM patients attending endocrine clinic in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal from October 2011 to September 2013. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All T2DM patients included and exclusion criteria are patients with other forms of diabetes, liver failure, renal failure, malignancy or other chronic illness. Patient's age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, history of risk factors, etc., collected and investigated for blood glucose fasting and prandial levels, transaminases levels, hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, etc., STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Statistical analysis was performed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20; appropriate test used where applicable. RESULTS: Out of the 192 T2DM patients screened, prevalence rate of HCV sero-positivity is found to be 5.7% (11/192), higher in males. History of jaundice in the past was the only significant history among sero-positive patients. Transaminases levels are significantly higher in sero-postive cases. They had higher fasting and postprandial blood glucose, fasting glucose levels being significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a slightly higher prevalence of hepatitis C infection in type 2 diabetics.