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Hepatitis C virus infection among patients on hemodialysis in jeddah: a single center experience

Abdulla Mohammed Y Al-Jiffri1, Rehab B Fadag, Tawfik M Ghabrah

  • 1Department of Medicine, King Fahd Military Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation : an Official Publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia
|July 28, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is highly prevalent in hemodialysis (HD) patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Longer HD duration and using multiple centers significantly increase HCV risk in this vulnerable population.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Nephrology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) poses a significant health risk, particularly to vulnerable populations like those undergoing hemodialysis (HD).
  • Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of HCV in the HD population is crucial for implementing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among hemodialysis (HD) patients in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
  • To identify key risk factors associated with HCV acquisition in this patient cohort.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 248 patients undergoing HD at the Jeddah Kidney Center.
  • Data collection focused on HCV status, duration of HD treatment, utilization of multiple dialysis centers, and history of blood transfusions.

Main Results:

  • The overall prevalence of HCV infection was found to be 72.6% among the studied HD patients.
  • Significant risk factors included longer duration of HD treatment (increasing from 16.4% at one year to 94.5% at three or more years) and utilizing more than one dialysis center (78% vs. 64.3%).
  • HCV positive patients were more likely to have received blood transfusions (75.8%) compared to those who had not (61.1%).

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of HCV in the Jeddah HD population is alarmingly high.
  • Prolonged hemodialysis and inter-center patient mobility are significant risk factors for HCV transmission.
  • Targeted screening and enhanced infection control measures are essential for this high-risk group.

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