THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS C IN PATIENTS PRESENTING WITH VAGUE RHEUMATIC SYMPTOMS IN A LOCAL COMMUNITY IN DISTRICT PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Objective: This study has been conducted to highlight the prevalence of chronic hepatitis in patients presenting with vague symptoms such as generalized body aches and weakness. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tehsil Headquarter Hospital Sharaqpur, Sheikhupura, Pakistan. During a period of two and a half months, 751 patients presenting to general outdoor department with vague symptoms were selected through random sampling. They were tested for Anti Hepatitis C Virus Antibodies, Hepatitis B Surface Antigen, and Anti Human Immunodeficiency Virus Antibodies with Rapid Immunochromatographic Test Kits. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23. Results: Of the 751 randomly selected patients, 28 were eliminated due to missing data. Out of 723 included participants, 36% were male and 64% were female with a mean age of 53.11±11.2 years. 26.42% people were screened positive for Hepatitis C (N=191). 1.7% people were screened positive for Hepatitis B (N=13). Whereas only 0.12% (N=1) were HIV positive. Conclusion: This study established that Chronic Hepatitis often presents with mild and vague symptoms. Also, the prevalence of HCV is significantly higher in our population in spite of the ongoing hepatitis control programs and is rising in contrast to the global decline.