CO-INFECTION OF HEPATITIS B AND C IN TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS AT SHEIKH ZAYED HOSPITAL, RAHIM YAR KHAN, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis, HBV and HCV infections are common in our community, so chances of co-infections are
high. Exact magnitude of this problem can help the Healthcare Professionals to plan a better and comprehensive care
for both conditions.
Objective: To assess the frequency of co-infection of Hepatitis B and C in diagnosed patients of tuberculosis.
Methodology: A total of 846 consecutive patients having tuberculosis (pulmonary or extra-pulmonary) were
included in this cross sectional study by non-probability consecutive sampling technique, from November 2017 to
October 2018, at outpatients department of pulmonology, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan. ICT method was
used to detect HBV and HCV. Sociodemographic data and site of disease (Pulmonary TB and Extra Pulmonary TB)
recorded on a pre-designed Performa and results were analyzed with SPSS version 22.
Results: Out of 846 total patients of this study, 437 (51.7%) were males and 409 (48.3%) were females with mean age
of 38.71±18.71years. Total of 639 patients (75.5%) were suffering from Pulmonary TB and 207 (24.5%) were having
extra pulmonary TB. Hepatitis B was present in 29 (3.4%) cases while Hepatitis C was present in 177 (20.9%) cases
and both (B & C) were detected in 07 (0.83%) cases. HBV was found in 3.75% pulmonary TB cases and 2.41% Extrapulmonary
TB cases. (p =0.357). HCV was found in 22.5% pulmonary TB cases and 15.9% Extra-pulmonary TB
cases. The difference was statistically significant (p =0.043).
Conclusion: Hepatitis C is very common finding in TB patients. Screening of all TB patients for HBV and HCV
infection is needed to improve treatment outcome of TB patients and avoid spread of disease in community.