Sero-prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Antibody among Type 2 Diabetic Patients Attending the Outpatient Clinic of Internal Medicine Department at Zagazig University Hospitals: Across-sectional descriptive study

ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and viral hepatitis C virus (HCV) are two major health problems of economic and social burden in Egypt. HCV is highly prevalent in type2 diabetic patients (T2DM patients) as it interferes with the insulin-signaling pathway. Also T2DM is one of extra-hepatic manifestations of HCV. Major known modes of transmission for HCV include injectable drug use, dental procedures, barberin g, tattooing, body piercing and sharing contaminated materials. Aim and objective: To evaluate the sero-prevalence of HCV antibodies among T2DM patients at the outpatient clinic of Internal Medicine Department at Zagazig University Hospitals aiming to determine the magnitude of HCVab among these patients.  Patients and methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted on T2DM patients. Each patient filled three questionnaires: the first about socio-demographic data, the second includes patient history of T2DM and assessment of knowledge about the disease and the third one for assessment of knowledge, prevalence and risk factors of HCV. Blood samples were obtained from all patients for testing HCVab. Results: The prevalence of HCVab among T2DM participants is 31.3%. The prevalence is statistically higher in type2 diabetic males with the age range between 27 – 85 years old, diagnosed as T2DM for more than 10 years, had a family history of HCV and had risk factors for HCV transmission. Conclusion:The high prevalence of HCVab in T2DM patients (31.3%) may be because the majority of participants were of low socioeconomic level, had positive familyhistory for HCV and were subjected to risk factors for HCV transmission.