Frequency of Gallstones in Anti-HCV Antibody Positive Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Larkana

Abstract

Background: Gallstones being one of the common
digestive disorders, are a major burden on public
health resources. There is a high prevalence of
gallstones in HCV positive patients in USA. There is
a second highest prevalence of HCV infection in
Pakistan after Egypt.

Objectives: To determine the frequency of
gallstones in Anti-HCV Antibody positive patients
at a tertiary care hospital of Larkana.

Methods: This is an Observational Cross-sectional
study. Study was carried out from December 2017 to
December 2018 at Department of Medicine, Chandka
Medical College Teaching Hospital, Larkana.
Patients who visited medical OPD for treatment of
Hepatitis C had abdominal ultrasonological
examination performed by a senior consultant
radiologist, who especially looked for gallstones.
Diagnosis of gallstones was confirmed by
radiologist.

Results: Total 160 patients were included in study,
97 (60.6%) of whom were male and 63 (39.4%) were
female. Gallstones were present in 28 (17.5%) cases.
Gallstones positive males were 11 (11.3%) and
females were 17 (27%). Gallstones were found to be
more common in women.

Conclusion: HCV infection may be a risk factor
for developing gallstones in younger patients.
Keywords: Gallstones, HCV, Extrahepatic
Manifestations.