Chronic hepatitis C--a study of 105 cases between 1990-2000

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Virology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a significant global health concern.
• Understanding patient demographics and transmission routes is crucial for effective public health strategies.
• Gastroenterology clinics manage a substantial number of chronic HCV cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical, laboratory, and virological characteristics of chronic hepatitis C patients.
• To identify the primary risk factors and modes of transmission for HCV in the studied population.
• To describe the management and treatment approaches employed for chronic hepatitis C.

Main Methods:

• Prospective data collection from 105 consecutive chronic hepatitis C patients.
• Inclusion of patient demographics, risk factors, clinical and laboratory features, and virology screening.
• Recording of management and treatment details, including interferon monotherapy and combination therapy.

Main Results:

• Chronic hepatitis C constituted 2.1% of cases at the gastroenterology clinic.
• A male preponderance was observed across all ethnic groups (74% male, 26% female).
• Blood transfusion was the predominant transmission route (48.8%), followed by other unspecified modes.
• 35.2% of patients received treatment, including interferon monotherapy and combination therapy with ribavirin.

Conclusions:

• Blood transfusion is a major risk factor for chronic hepatitis C in this Malaysian cohort.
• Male patients are disproportionately affected by chronic hepatitis C.
• A combination of interferon and ribavirin represents a key treatment strategy for naive and non-responder patients.