FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C AMONG CATARACT PATIENTS

Background: In Pakistan the frequency of Hepatitis B and C virus infection ranges from 8-15% in the general population with variations in different parts of the country. Patients undergoing any surgical procedure may have these infections, demanding special precautions. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of hepatitis B and C among patients undergoing elective cataract surgery. Material and Methods: It was a descriptive study based on survey in which all patients above the age of 25 years, presenting for cataract surgery to Mehmood Eye Hospital, District Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan were screened for Hepatitis B and C infections, from 1(st) July 2004 to 31(st) May 2006. The findings were recorded on a structured compilation sheet and analyzed. Those found positive on screening test were confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay (ELISA). Results: Total number of patients screened was 1130. The frequency of hepatitis B and C (combined) was found to be 5.75%(65/1130); out of which 3.18% (36/1130) were HBsAg positive and 2.57% (29/1130) anti-HCV positive. Out of them, 39 were males (60%) and 26 females (40%). The frequency of HBV was 72% (26/36) in males and 28% (10/36) in females. The frequency of HCV was 45% (13/29) in males and 55% (16/29) in females. The proportion of HBsAg to anti-HCV was 55 %(36/65) to 45% (29/65). The frequency of hepatitis B and C (combined) was more in age group ranging between 45-74 years, in both sexes. The frequency of hepatitis B among age groups 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75 years and above was 3% (1/36), 6% (2/36), 17% (6/36), 33% (12/36), 28% (10/36), and 13% (5/36), respectively. The frequency of hepatitis C among age groups 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74 and 75 years and above was 3% (1/29), 3% (1/29), 10% (3/29), 38% (11/29), 28% (8/29), and 18% (5/29) respectively. The frequency of hepatitis B and C (combined) among urban and rural populations was 45% (29/65) and 55% (36/65) respectively. One of the interesting findings was that none of the patient was found to be suffering simultaneously from both hepatitis B and C. Conclusion: The prevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV in patients presenting for surgery is high, requiring routine preoperative screening of all the patients.