The prevalence of hepatitis c virus antibodies among Hemodialysis patients in Jeddah area, Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

The prevalence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (HCV) in hemodialysis (HD) patients is high and variable.

One hundred and thirty nine patients undergoing maintenance HD at three different renal units in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, were studied for prevalence of anti-HCV antibody.

The overall prevalence in the group examined was 52.5% (73/139).

There was a significant correlation between prevalence of anti-HCV and duration of HD; 53/ 74 (71.6%) in patients on HD for > 3 years as against 20/65 (30.8%) for patients on HD for < 3 years (P< 0.05).

We were unable to demonstrate a correlation of anti-HCV positivity with history of blood transfusions, previous exposure to hepatitis-B virus, sex, age, or ethnic group.

The very high prevalence of anti-HCV found in patients on maintenance HD and the positive correlation between anti-HCV reactivity and duration on dialysis suggest that factors within the dialysis unit might contribute to the spread of the virus.