Subjects and Methods:
This is a cross sectional study where medical records of 1959 HCV
positive patients obtained from one University Hospital “hepatic virus
section” from (September 2018 to February 2019) were reviewed . Study
sample: All patients in the sample aged from 19 to 94 years old. Sample
included both males and females. Children and HIV patients were
excluded.
Study data: For obesity, Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the
body weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters
(kg/m2), BMI was categorized into three categories: normal (BMI
<25), overweight (BMI = 25 to <30) and obese (BMI
≥30). For hypertension, the average of three readings was calculated and
the hypertensive patients were defined as patients having average
systolic ≥130 mmHg or average diastolic ≥90 mmHg. Patients who were
using antihypertensive drugs were considered hypertensive.
HCV testing protocol: HCV-Ab test was initially used to check HCV
antibodies. Negative ELISA samples were excluded. Positive ELISA samples
were retested for HCV antibodies using a more specific assay and further
tested by quantitative real-time PCR to detect HCV-RNA. Participants
with positive sera for HCV antibodies by ELISA test and positive PCR-RNA
were considered as chronic HCV infection.
Study design: We studied relationships between different patient
parameters and risk factors in 1959 HCV positive patient. Relationship
between DM, BMI, age and HTN with the rest of the parameters and risk
factors in HCV positive patients were studied. Study protocol was
approved by the University hospital and patients signed informed consent
forms before starting the study.
Statistical analysis of the data: Data were fed to the computer and
analyzed using IBM SPSS software package version 20.0. (Armonk, NY: IBM
Corp) . Qualitative data were described using number and percent. The
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to verify the normality of
distribution. Quantitative data were described using range (minimum and
maximum), mean, standard deviation and median. Significance of the
obtained results was judged at the 5% level.
The used tests were Chi-square , Fisher’s Exact or Monte Carlo
correction , Mann Whitney test , Kruskal Wallis test and Post Hoc
(Dunn’s multiple comparisons test) for pairwise comparisons. Regression
using a series of univariate and multivariable logistic regression
analyses were performed to investigate the factors associated with the
HCV infection. To detect the most independent/ affecting factor for DM,
HTN and BMI.