Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C Viruses amongst Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria

Introduction: Viral hepatitis is a liver disease with numerous etiologies. Hepatitis B and C virus infections and co infections are pandemics that constitute a major public health challenge in Nigeria. Diabetes mellitus is sought to be a risk factor for HBsAg and HCV coexistence. The study was aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV viruses amongst type 2 diabetic patients in Dutse Jigawa State, Nigeria.

Methods: The study was randomized and cross sectional conducted amongst type 2 diabetics. A total of 192 consecutive type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending the endocrine clinic and 120 age and sex matched apparently healthy volunteers who consented to participate in the study were recruited. All the participants were screened for HBsAg and HCV using immunochromatographic test kits and confirmed by ELISA technique for seropositive cases.

Results: Prevalence rates of HBsAg was equal 9(4.68%) for the type 2 diabetics and controls while that of Anti-HCV was 3(1.56%) and 1(0.52%) in the type 2 diabetics and controls (p≤0.05) respectively. Co infection was recorded in the control subjects but not in the diabetes group.

Conclusion: There is a statistical significant association between HCV and type 2 diabetes mellitus with the seropositivity of HCV 3.0 times higher in type 2 diabetic patients compared to healthy controls.