Frequency of HBs Ag and Anti-HCV in Trauma Patients

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to determine the frequency of Hepatitis B&C Viral infection in patients undergoing emergency surgical operations after trauma, and to evaluate the associated risk factors.

Study Design: Descriptive Study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at General Surgical, Orthopaedic and Paediatric Surgery Department of Ghulam Muhammad Mahar Medical College Hospital Sukkur from May-2011 to April-2012.

Patients and Methods: All the patients who were admitted in the Surgical and orthopaedic department for emergency surgical operations followed by trauma were included in the study. The patients were screened for HBsAg and Anti-HCV using immunochromatography (ICT) method. Those who were weak positive by ICT were further confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Results: 592 patients were admitted in Surgical and orthopaedic department during a period of last one year for emergency operations after trauma and were screened for HBsAg and Anti-HCV. Out of these 592 patients 472 (79.7%) were males and 120 (20.27%) were females. Mean age of these patients was 40 years. After screening, 33 (5.57%) patients were found HBsAg positive and 117 (19.76%) were Anti-HCV positive, while 09 (1.5%) were positive for both.Hepatitis-B was found in 21 (2.3%) males and 12 (1.3%) females, while Hepatitis-C was predominantly found in 68 (7.44%) males and 49 (5.36%) female patients.

Parenteral injections by Quacks, previous surgery, blood transfusion and shaving by barbers were found to be the risk factors.

Conclusion: Higg frequency of HBs Ag and Anti-HCV was found in trauma patients undergoing emergency surgery. Our message is that “Prevention is better than cure”. So it is essential to prevent the spread of Hepatitis B&C by screening every patient before surgery and counseling of patients.