Hepatitis C Virus Infection at Primary Healthcare Level in Abha City, Southwestern Saudi Arabia: Is Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus an Associated Factor?

Suliman M. Al Humayed, Ahmed A. Mahfouz, Nabil J. Awadalla and Abdullah A. Alsabaani
Additional contact information
Suliman M. Al Humayed: Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed A. Mahfouz: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Nabil J. Awadalla: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
Abdullah A. Alsabaani: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, P.O. Box 641, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-6

Abstract: Background: There is an increasing concern about the relation between hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV infection among T2DM patients and non-diabetic patients attending primary healthcare centers (PHCCs) in Abha city, southwestern Saudi Arabia, and to explore the possible association between T2DM and HCV infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study targeting a random sample of T2DM and non-diabetic patients attending PHCCs in Abha City was conducted. Patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire and screened for HCV infection using fourth-generation ELISA kits. All positive cases were confirmed by qualitative RT-PCR immune assay. Results: The study revealed an overall seroprevalence of HCV infection of 5% (95% CI: 2.9–7.9%). Among T2DM and non-diabetics, a seroprevalence of 8.0% and 2.0% was found, respectively. Using multivariable regression analysis, the only significant associated factor for HCV infection was T2DM (aOR = 4.185, 95% CI: 1.074–16.305). Conclusions: There is strong positive association between T2DM and HCV infection. Yet, the direction of relationship is difficult to establish. Patients with T2DM have higher prevalence of HCV infection than non-diabetic group. It is highly recommended for primary health care providers to screen for HCV infection among T2DM patients and to increase the level of HCV awareness among them.

Keywords: hepatitis C virus infection; type 2 diabetes mellitus; primary healthcare centers; Saudi Arabia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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