Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To see the frequency of newly diagnosed Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C cases during
pre-operative surgical assessment of patients from lower socioeconomic class and to study the
possible risk factors.
STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive Cross Sectional study.
SETTING: Department of Surgery, Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences and Hospital, Karachi.
STUDY DURATION: From July 2012 to July2013.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total 107 patients (>18 years)of both genders from lower socioeconomic class planned for elective surgical procedure were included after ethical approval. Previously diagnosed cases of Hepatitis-B and C were excluded. After history and clinical examination, Hepatitis-B &Hepatitis-C serology was performed (ELIZA technique). History of blood
transfusion, previous dental or surgical procedures, intravenous injections, intravenous drug
abuse, tattooing, piercing, circumcision, shaving by barbers, unprotected sex and Hepatitis-B
vaccination status obtained. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 17.
RESULTS: Among 107 cases (42% males & 58% females) with mean age 39+14 years, HepatitisB infection was present in 6(6%) cases, Hepatitis-C in 11(10%) and Hepatitis-B and C serology
was negative in 90 (84%) cases. Frequency of Hepatitis-B was 3% (in males) versus 9% (in females); Hepatitis-C 6.4% (in males) versus 15.5% (in females). Among those with Hepatitis-B or
C, history of previous surgical procedure present in 47% cases (vs. 21% in Hepatitis-B and C
negative cases), dental procedure in 29.4% (vs. 7.7 %), intravenous injections in 94% (vs. 43%),
intravenous drug abuse in 5.8% (vs. 0 %), blood transfusion in 35% (vs. 12%), tattooing in 0%
(vs. 2%), unprotected sex in 5.8% (vs. 1%), piercing in 64.7% (vs. 39%), circumcision by barbers
in 83.3%of males (vs. 80%), shaving by barbers in 66.6% of males (vs. 27%). Hepatitis-B and C
was found to be associated with history of blood transfusion, intravenous injections, dental
procedures, shaving by barbers, piercing and intravenous drug abuse (p< 0.05). Clinical stigmata of liver disease were present in 3% cases. Among all cases 9% were previously vaccinated
for Hepatitis-B.
CONCLUSION: Preoperative determination of Hepatitis viral markers is a good clinical practice
to limit transmission from asymptomatic carriers and to diagnose new cases. Pakistan has high
prevalence of Hepatitis-B and C and poverty and low literacy rate are the main determinants of
its spread. Those who are negative for Hepatitis-B should be encouraged to get vaccinated.
There is need for measures to create awareness about preventive measures and affective control of transmission of Hepatitis-B and C in community as well as at health care facilities.
Nadia Shams, Fareya Usmani, Naresh Kumar, Rajesh Motwani, Mir Muhammad Dahhri, Zaman Shaikh. (2014) Newly Diagnosed Hepatitis-B and Hepatitis-C during Surgical Pre-operative Assessment of Patients from Lower Socioeconomic Class; Frequency, Risk Factors and Vaccination Status, Journal of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Volume-13, Issue-3.
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