THE PREVALENCE OF ANTI HCV INFECTION AND ITS RELATED FACTORS IN PATIENTS WITH BETA-THALASSEMIA IN SHIRAZ-IRAN

Abstract

Purpose: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a serious public health problem around the world. Patients with major thalassemia are at high risk of hepatitis C due to the blood transfusion from donors infected by HCV. The aim of this study was detecting the prevalence of HCV and its related factors in Shiraz-Iran. Material and Methods: This Retrospective Cohort study was conducted in Shiraz City, the south of Iran, from 2004 to 2014 enrolling 839 beta-thalassemic patients. Data were collected from the patient's medical records and they were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of HCV was estimated 4.4% among thalassemic patients. The mean age of patients was 22.87(8.11). 23(5.5%) and 14(3.3%) of beta thalassemic patients which were infected by HCV were male and female respectively. Age, type of thalassemia and heart complications had a significant association with HCV seropositivity in multiple logistic regression models. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that Age, type of thalassemia and heart complications were the main risk factors for HCV infection among beta-thalassemic patients. Due to the increase of patients survival and since the HCV is related to the other complications, we must use some methods such as weekly cares, fresh blood transfusions to patients and timely and early hemoglobin treatment to reach to decrease and delay the effect of this disease in patients. Copyright (C) 2013 - All Rights Reserved - Pharmacophore