SERUM IRON LEVEL IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC VIRAL HEPATITIS: SIX MONTHS HOSPITAL BASED CROSS SECTIONAL DESCRIPTIVE STUDY

Abstract

This descriptive type cross sectional study was conducted at Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad Sindh, Pakistan. All patients above 12 years of age, of either gender and were known (diagnosed) cases of chronic viral hepatitis (B and C) were further evaluated for their serum iron level. One hundred and fourteen (114) patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (37%) and C (63%) with means age 34.523 ± 5.185 and 39.041 ± 7.155 years were enrolled and evaluated. Regarding Hepatitis B, the serum iron was raised in 26/42 (62%) patients while regarding hepatitis C, the serum iron was raised in 53/72 (74%) patients. In both categories (hepatitis B and C) the male population was predominant and majority of patients (77%) belonged to rural areas. The rise in serum iron was observed in patients with chronic viral hepatitis (B and C)