title: Risk factors and clinical presentation of hepatitis C virus infection in Nigerians with chronic liver disease.
abstract: Chronic liver disease is becoming a major public health problem in Nigeria and hepatitis C virus is becoming a significant causative factor in its aetiology worldwide and in Nigeria. We determined the risk factors and clinical presentation of hepatitis C virus infection in Nigerians with chronic liver disease. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered in order to determine the risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection and a physical examination was carried out in order to determine the clinical presentation. Ninety patients with clinical, biochemical and sonographic evidence of chronic liver disease and 85 controls without liver disease were studied. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 14.4% and 2.4% of patients and controls, respectively (P < 0.05). The main risk factors were scarification, traditional surgery and blood transfusion. Ascites, jaundice, pedal swelling, abdominal distension, hepatomegaly, abdominal pain and splenomegaly were the main presentations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, PMB 1459, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. drabolokoba@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abdulfatai B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Olokoba
authors.forename: Laraba A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Accama
authors.forename: Wadzani
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gashau
authors.forename: Fatai K
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Salawu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies