title: Prevalence of Hepatitis C among Multi-transfused Thalassaemic Patients in Oman: Single centre experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Regular blood transfusions are essential for patients with thalassaemia major. However, infections with hepatotropic viruses remain a major concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection among patients with homozygous beta thalassaemia in a single centre in Oman.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review of 200 patients treated at the Thalassemia Unit of Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman, between August 1991 and December 2011 was performed. Relevant demographic and clinical characteristics were collected, including age, gender, HCV status and the presence of endocrinopathies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 81 patients (41%) were found to be anti-HCV-antibody (anti-HCV)-positive. HCV ribonucleic acid tests were performed on 65 anti-HCV-positive patients and were positive among 33 (51%); the remaining 16 patients died before these tests were available. Anti-HCV-positive patients were significantly older than anti-HCV-negative patients (P <0.001) and were more likely to be diabetic than anti-HCV-negative patients (27% versus 8%; P <0.001). A total of 100 patients had been transfused before they were transferred to SQUH in 1991; of these, 70 (70%) were anti-HCV-positive. Only 11 (11.5%) of the 96 patients who were seronegative in 1991, or who were transfused later, became seropositive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is likely that the high prevalence of HCV among multi-transfused thalassaemic patients in Oman is due to blood transfusions dating from before the implementation of HCV screening in 1991 as the risk of HCV-associated transfusions has significantly reduced since then. Additionally, results showed that anti-HCV-positive patients were more likely to be diabetic than anti-HCV-negative patients.
authors: Department of Medicine, Armed Forces Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Al-Naamani
authors: Departments of Pharmacology & Clinical Pharmacy, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Al-Zakwani
authors: Departments of Child Health, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Siham
authors: S
authors: Al-Sinani
authors: Haematology, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Fauzia
authors: F
authors: Wasim
authors: Haematology, College of Medicine & Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors: Shahina
authors: S
authors: Daar
keywords: Anti-HCV Antibodies; Beta Thalassemia; Blood Safety; Blood Transfusions; Hepatitis C; Oman; Seroprevalence