Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C virus infection and their co-relation with hematological and hepatic parameters in subjects undergoing Premarital Screening in the Jazan Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Saleh Mohammed Abdullah

doi:10.12669/pjms.342.14278

Abstract

Objective:Hepatitis is a serious health concern with a high rate of mortality and morbidity world over. Saudi Arabia also has its course of the disease incidence. The data on the prevalence of the disease is still limiting. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection in the Jazan region and study its effects on hematological and hepatic parameters.Methods:This cross-sectional study was conducted at premarital screening centre located in King Fahd Central Hospital, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A total of 7,826, Saudi couples undertaking premarital screening from Jazan region, were enrolled in the study and screened between January 2014 and June 2015 for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus. Complete blood counts and hepatic profile were carried out for individuals who were Hepatitis B and or C virus positive.Results:A higher prevalence of hepatitis virus infection in male participants [HBV 1.9%; HCV 0.4%] than in females [HBV 1.43%; HCV 0.2%] was seen. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratios were significantly decreased among HBV- and HCV-infected patients. The concentration of hepatic enzymes showed a statistically significant increase in seropositive individuals. The levels of albumin were significantly decreased in individuals with hepatitis B and C when compared with the control groupConclusions:The study concludes that the prevalence of HBV infection among Saudi subjects in Jazan was higher than the prevalence of HCV infection, and both HBV and HCV were higher in men than in women.

Highlights

Hepatitis is a critical global health issue that kills about 1.5 million people every year.[1]
The Review Board waived the requirement of an informed written consent for all individuals who voluntarily agreed to participate in this study, except in patients who tested positive for hepatitis B or C
The study was conducted in two phases, phase I where individuals visiting the premarital screening center were screened for hepatitis and phase II, where blood samples were collected from individuals who tested positive for hepatitis B or C and were ready to participate further in the study

Summary

Introduction

Hepatitis is a critical global health issue that kills about 1.5 million people every year.[1]. Pak J Med Sci March - April 2018 Vol 34 No 2 www.pjms.com.pk 316. B, and about 57 million persons are infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) world over.[5] It is more prevalent in the Middle East as compared to America and Europe and ranges in prevalence from 0.6% in Iraq to more than 8% in Sudan.[1] In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, the number of individuals infected with HBV is more than 21 million (3.3% of the population). It has been suggested that the prevalence of HBV could be higher among the general population than the proportion of blood donors.[5]

Methods

Results

Conclusion