Hepatitis C seropositivity and RNA detection among Type2 Diabetic patients in Sulaimani Governorate-Iraqi Kurdistan Region

Abstract

The current study included 421 cases (221 with type 2 diabetic) and (200 non-diabetics- control group). ELISA and conventional PCR techniques were used for detection of anti-HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA respectively. The percentage rates of HCV seropositivity were (9.5%) among type 2 diabetic patients that were significantly higher (p < 0.05) compared to controls. Moreover, HCV-RNA detection was more frequent among diabetic patients (5.88%), although no significant differences found with non-diabetic cases (p > 0.05). No significant effects of sex found among positive results (p > 0.05). Duration of diabetes, residence, the job type, the patient’s education level, history of jaundice, smoking and alcohol consumption showed significant effects (p < 0.05) on the percentage rates of HCV infection among type 2 diabetic patients. It was concluded that these parameters are a risk factor for HCV infection among Type 2 Diabetic patients. Moreover, diabetes itself can consider as a risk factor for HCV infection.

Prevalence of Hepatitis B, C, and D among Thalassemia patients in Sulaimani Governorate

“…Although there are no data about HDV infections in our hospitals and community, this is the first study on HDV in Kurdistan. Similar studies done among type II diabetic patients in Sulaimani city reported a lower prevalence of HCV infections [43].…”

Serological and Molecular Detection of Hepatitis B virus among patients referred to Kurdistan Center for Hepatology and Gastroenterology in Sulaimani City/Kurdistan Region of Iraq

“…These observations were agreed with observation reported by others [14]. In another study done in Sulaimani, it was found that occupation, education level, history of jaundice, smoking, and alcohol drink had a significant effect on viral hepatitis infections, especially HCV infection [15]. Our observations were parallel with their conclusion considering some factors, including smoking.…”