Dentistry as a possible route of hepatitis C transmission in Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the role of dental surgical procedures in contributing to the transmission of hepatitis C.


METHODS
Prospective observational pilot study.


METHODS
Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute Lahore, Pakistan.


METHODS
Exposure to dental procedures, injections, tattooing, surgical intervention, blood transfusions, family history of hepatitis, diabetes mellitus and contact with jaundiced patients was evaluated in 78 consecutive adult patients of both sexes suffering from chronic hepatitis C.


METHODS
Distribution of risk factors for acquiring hepatitis C with emphasis on role of dentistry as a possible route of transmission.


RESULTS
Dental procedures were the major source of exposure (39.7%) followed by injections (16.6%), surgical procedures (16.6%), diabetes (12.8%), family history of hepatitis (9%), blood transfusions (7%), tattooing (5.1%) and history of contact with a jaundiced patient (2.6%). There was a statistically significant difference in distribution of risk factors, with dental procedures being the commonest factor (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of dental procedures in patients with chronic hepatitis C stresses the importance of ineffective infection control methods practiced by dental surgeons as a risk factor for acquiring hepatitis C and which were probably the source of infection. Large epidemiological studies are needed to elucidate the role of dentistry in transmitting hepatitis C.
Butt
Arshad K
AK
Department of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Shaikh Zayed Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Lahore 54700, Pakistan.
Khan
Ayyaz A
AA
Khan
Saman Y
SY
Sharea
Ijaz
I
D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000635:transmission; D003729:Dental Care / Q000009:adverse effects*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000235:genetics / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections / Q000009:adverse effects; D007565:Jaundice / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects; D013653:Tattooing / Q000009:adverse effects; D065227:Transfusion Reaction