Liver Insights: Probing Molecular Signatures of Hepatitis C Patients in Hospitals of Lahore- Navigating the Clinical Landscape of Viral Infection and Organ Profiling

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major public health problem, leading to chronic liver diseases, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease burden is particularly high in developing countries, with significant gender disparities and varied outcomes across different clinical settings. Objective: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of HCV infections, analyze the clinical correlation of demographic factors with patient outcomes, and examine the age-related duration of hospital stays in a Pakistani cohort. Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on 230 symptomatic liver patients from three major hospitals in Lahore. Inclusion criteria were based on HCV-related liver conditions, excluding post-liver transplant patients. Data on viral load detections were obtained via semi-automated RT-PCR with commercially available kits. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 and GraphPad Prism 9.0 to determine frequency distributions, cross-tabulation analyses, and Pearson correlation coefficients. Results: Out of the 230 patients, 69% (158) were male, and 31% (72) were female. Age distribution showed 36.7% (58) of males were over 60 years, and 63.3% (100) under 60 years; 55.6% (40) of females were over 45 years, with 44.4% (32) under 45 years. Most referrals came from the Pulmonary ward (35%), followed by the Surgery (30%) and Gastroenterology (20%) wards. HCV RNA detection was positive in 67% (154) of the patients. Cross-tabulation analysis indicated a mortality rate of 39% in the Pulmonary ward. A significant positive correlation (r=0.494, p<0.000) was observed between patient age and days of hospital stay. Conclusion: The study demonstrates a higher prevalence of HCV in males and a notable age-related impact on the duration of hospitalization. Interdisciplinary approaches and gender-sensitive healthcare interventions are essential for effective HCV management.