Frequency of Hepatitis B and C Infection among Hemophiliac Patients in Kerman

Abstract

Hemophilia is the most common congenital coagulative disorder which exposes the patients to many problems because of lack of coagulative factors, higher risk of viral infections and other complications. This study was designed to detect the prevalence of hepatitis B and C infection in hemophiliac patients referring to Kerman Samenalhojaj Center. For this purpose, 97 hemophiliac patients were studied during the summer 2002 and their demographic data such as age, sex, duration of disease, history of blood transfusion and drug history were collected. By means of serologic tests HBV and HCV were diagnosed. In order to determine risk factors, odds Ratio was calculated. From total subjects 84 were male and 13 were female and their mean age was 21.8± 11.6 years (mean± SD). Among subjects 43 person (44.3%) had HCV infection and only one person had HBV infection. Patients with HCV infection, had greater mean age comparing to the non infected patients. There was statistical significant relationship between blood transfusion and HCV infection.That is, blood transfusion had increased the risk of HCV infection 2.3 times. The high risk of HCV infection in hemophiliac patients has been demonstrated in several investigations and shows the role of blood transfusion in HCV infection. Lack of HBV infection in hemophiliac patients suggests that blood transfusion is not the main way of HBV infection. However these patients are at a high risk of HBV infection. Because of many complications of HBV and HCV infection, detection of these infections in hemophiliac patients is highly necessary.