Pakistan Journal of Kidney Diseases | 2021
Management of Hepatitis C in Dialysis Dependent Patients.
Abstract
Prevalence of\xa0Hepatitis C\xa0(HCV)\xa0is quite high\xa0in Pakistan and in particular among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients.\xa0HCV is associated with increasing morbidity and mortality among MHD patients. The current availability of\xa0direct acting antiviral therapy has changed the canvas for HCV prevalence in many countries. Aim of our study was to evaluate the status of HCV prevalence and its management at our center. \nMethods: \xa0This descriptive study was conducted at Nawaz Sharif Kidney Hospital Swat, Pakistan to evaluate the seroprevalence of HCV among MHD patients.\xa0Data regarding HCV status, PCR positivity and number of patietns on active treatment were evaluated. \nResults: A total of\xa0109 patients\xa0were\xa0undergoing MHD\xa0in this\xa0study. The prevalence of patient who had HCV was\xa040 (36.6%).\xa0 All patietns had PCR done and out of them PCR was positive in 28 Patients. All except 4 of the 28 patients had been started on HCV treatment with direct antiviral therapy for HCV.\xa0 \nConclusion: almost all of HCV PCR positive patients were being treated \xa0with DAA in our dialysis unit.