Subjects and Methods:
This is a cross sectional study where medical records of 1959 HCV positive patients obtained from one University Hospital “hepatic virus section” from (September 2018 to February 2019) were reviewed . Study sample: All patients in the sample aged from 19 to 94 years old. Sample included both males and females. Children and HIV patients were excluded.
Study data: For obesity, Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the body weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2), BMI was categorized into three categories: normal (BMI <25), overweight (BMI = 25 to <30) and obese (BMI ≥30). For hypertension, the average of three readings was calculated and the hypertensive patients were defined as patients having average systolic ≥130 mmHg or average diastolic ≥90 mmHg. Patients who were using antihypertensive drugs were considered hypertensive.
HCV testing protocol: HCV-Ab test was initially used to check HCV antibodies. Negative ELISA samples were excluded. Positive ELISA samples were retested for HCV antibodies using a more specific assay and further tested by quantitative real-time PCR to detect HCV-RNA. Participants with positive sera for HCV antibodies by ELISA test and positive PCR-RNA were considered as chronic HCV infection.
Study design: We studied relationships between different patient parameters and risk factors in 1959 HCV positive patient. Relationship between DM, BMI, age and HTN with the rest of the parameters and risk factors in HCV positive patients were studied. Study protocol was approved by the University hospital and patients signed informed consent forms before starting the study.
Statistical analysis of the data: Data were fed to the computer and analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp) . Qualitative data were described using number and percent. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normality of distribution. Quantitative data were described using range (minimum and maximum), mean, standard deviation and median. Significance of the obtained results was judged at the 5% level.
The used tests were Chi-square , Fisher’s Exact or Monte Carlo correction , Mann Whitney test , Kruskal Wallis test and Post Hoc (Dunn’s multiple comparisons test) for pairwise comparisons. Regression using a series of univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the factors associated with the HCV infection. To detect the most independent/ affecting factor for DM, HTN and BMI.