Relationship of Anti-HCV Positivity and Malnutrition among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis: A Case Control Study

Abstract

Background: The nutritional status of patients on maintenance hemodialysis has a direct impact on their morbidity and mortality. Periodic nutritional assessment coupled with timely intervention has significant role in improving quality of life of those patients. Aim: To study the relationship of serum anti-HCV positivity and levels of serum Albumin (marker of malnutrition) among patients of ERSD who are on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Study design & duration: Case Control Study Data was collected during 2016. Study setting: Department of Nephrology, Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital Lahore. Methods: A Case Control Study was conducted with total of 128 patients (Cases=35 Anti-HCV positive, Controls=93 Anti-HCV negative) participating in study. Purposive sampling was done. Standardized Questionnaire was used to collect data after taking their informed consent. Following serum markers were measured in both groups; Albumin, Calcium, Phosphate, Parathyroid Hormone, Uric Acid and Hemoglobin. SPSS version 20.0 was used to analyze the data. Result: 35 Anti-HCV positive and 93 Anti-HCV negative patients were included in the study. There is statistically significant difference in albumin and hemoglobin levels between case and control groups, but no difference was found in rest of the serum markers. Average albumin in case group is 3.5579 and in control group is 3.7732 (p=0.055). Conclusion: Anti-HCV positive patients have lowalbumin levels in serum as compared to control group. However, Hemoglobin levels are better controlled in Anti-HCV negative patients as compared to control group.