Seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus infection in Nigerians with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
BACKGROUND
Several studies have suggested a strong epidemiologic association between Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection in some populations. However, the reasons why chronic HCV infection is prevalent in DM remain unknown. Our aims were to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in a population of Nigerian diabetics compared with the general population as well as assess the influence of sex and age on HCV infection in the same diabetic population.


METHODS
A total of 115 diabetic patients were compared with 2,301 blood donors matched by recognized risk factors to acquire HCV infection. Serologic testing for anti HCV was done using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.


RESULTS
Sixty (60) type 2 diabetic patients were males while fifty-five (55) were females. Their mean age was 55.4 +/- 9 years and mean blood glucose level was 8.5mmol/l. One subject tested positive for HCV infection. The control group consisted of 2,031 adults recruited from the blood donor's clinic. Forty five of them (2.2%) tested positive for HCV.


CONCLUSIONS
Our preliminary results suggest a low sero-prevalence of HCV infection among our patients with type 2 diabetes. Presently, routine screening for HCV infection in persons with diabetes may not be necessary.
Adegoke
O A
OA
Department of Chemical Pathology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. adego3@yahoo.com
Kolawole
B A
BA
Ikem
R T
RT
Adediran
A
A
Aboderin
A O
AO
Salawu
A
A
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies