Frequency and risk factors for Hepatitis C virus seropositivity in blood transfusion-dependent thalassemic patients in Qena hospitals

Abstract

Background: Beta-thalassemia major (BTM) is still mostly treated with routine blood transfusions. One of the most prevalent transfusion-transmitted infections (TTI) of clinical significance is the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of HCV infection among thalassemic patients in Qena hospitals, and to identify the possible risk factors associated with HCV infection. Patients and methods: a cross-sectional study involving 400 thalassemic patients with an age ranging from 1.5 to 29 years, a mean age of 12.8 ±7.3 years, 176 (44%) were male and 224 (56%) were female, and 75.5% were from rural areas. All are reviewed by a structured questionnaire . Results: The study revealed that the prevalence of HCV infection in the studied thalassemic patients was 9.5%. The most important risk factors were the duration of blood transfusion for more than 15 years, previous surgery, dental procedure, and splenectomy (P<0.001), followed by patient age of more than 18 years (P = 0.001), urban population, and a positive family history of thalassemia (P = 0.001), and frequency of blood transfusion (P = 0.054). Conclusion: The most important risk factors were the duration of blood transfusion for more than 15 years, previous surgery, dental procedure, and splenectomy. Thalassemic patients with older age were at higher risk for HCV infection. The risk increased with patients aged more than 18 years old. A family history of thalassemia was a risk factor for HCV infection.