METABOLIC SYNDROME AMONG PATIENTS OF HEPATITIS C PRESENTING TO A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background and objectives: Hepatitis C has evolved to become a global pandemic, equally affecting Pakistan as well. According to one WHO report the estimated prevalence of chronic hepatitis C is 1% worldwide (71 million people) while Pakistan alone contributes more than 12 million people to this figure, with Punjab reporting the highest prevalence of 6.7%. This infection does not only affect the Liver but also produces extrahepatic manifestations in various organs like skin, blood, and gastrointestinal tract as well as leads to many autoimmune conditions. There are many more linked to hepatitis but still remains unclear hence in this study we aim to assess the frequency of metabolic syndrome and the distribution of its features among patients of hepatitis C.Methods: Conducted from 01.08.2019 to 02.01.2020 at Sheikh Zayed Hospital Lahore this cross-sectional study enrolled a total of 110 patients with hepatitis C presenting to the Outpatient Medicine Department. After informed consent, the demographic profile was noted in the proforma. The blood pressure and BMI of the patients were assessed using a standard protocol. A sample of 3ml of blood was taken for fasting lipid profile. Information regarding the study variable was recorded in the proforma and confidentiality of the data was ensured. SPSS was used to analyze the data.Results: Of the total 110 hepatitis C patients enrolled, 54.5% were male, the mean age was 41.06 ± 14.78 years and the mean duration of having hepatitisC was 6.76 ± 3.27 months. Metabolic syndrome was present in 31.8%of the total study participants. Further analysis revealed that metabolic syndrome was not significantly associated with age (p-value = 0.955), gender (p-value = 0.970), or duration of hepatitis C (p-value = 0.125).Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome affects 1 in every 3 patients of Hepatitis C presenting to the tertiary care hospital. Hence screening for metabolic syndrome must be performed among all patients suffering from hepatitis C from an early disease period and all such patients must be educated regarding prevention and control of this syndrome.