Burden of HCV among Prevalent Haemodialysis Patients in Kafr Elsheikh after National Egyptian HCV Eradication Program

Abstract Background Hepatitis C Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most commonly reported viral infections in both developing and developed countries, causing significant mortality and morbidity and costing billions of dollars annually. The prevalence of HCV infection in hemodialysis patients varies substantially among different geographical regions. Recent studies have shown that the HCV prevalence in hemodialysis patients varies from 1.4%–28.3% in developed countries and 4.7%–41.9% in developing countries Aim of the Work to estimate the prevalence of HCV infection and to determine the seroconversion rate in prevelant hemodilaysis in Kafr Elsheikh governorate after the hepatitis C virus infection National eradication program in Egypt and to identify the demographics leading to then non-compliance to hepatitis C virus medications and missed follow up among the prevalent hemodialysis patients with HCV infection in Kafr EL sheikh governorate, Egypt. Patients and Methods All patients were assessed for eligibility criteria and were included in the study only when they had met the following inclusion criteria: age older than 18 years old, maintained on regular hemodialysis session for more than 3 months. On the other hand, the exclusion criteria encompassed patients with acute kidney injury or any conditions necessitating temporary dialysis or patient age is less than 18 years old. 1162 prevalent hemodialysis patients in kafr el sheikh governorate, Egypt have been enrolled at our cross sectional study (multi-centric study) applying the proposed standards of the inclusion and exclusion criteria of our study design. Results Among these 1162 patients, 403 patients (34.68%) had history of positive PCR for HCV infection prior and during the national eradication campaign. Among those patients, 212 patients (52.61%) received HCV infection treatment in the form of oral and parenteral medications, while 191 patients (47.39%) didn't receive treatment. Among the patients who didn't receive the prescribed medications for HCV virus, 107 patients (56.02%) had concerns about drug complications, 22 patients didn't receive the prescribed medication due to lack of counselling while 20 patients (10.47%) did not receive treatment due to other causes as being mentally retarded, or having advanced medical comorbidities as advanced liver disease or decompensated heart failure while 42 patients (21.99%) refused to receive treatment without giving reasons. Conclusion The prevalence of HCV infection among the studied prevalent hemodialysis patients in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate is 19.4% after the HCV national eradication protocol and can be considered a major health problem. A significant percentage of the prevalent hemodialysis patients with hepatitis C virus infection refused to apply to the prescribed antiviral medications or being non complaint on medication that was mostly due to fear of developed major side effects of the prescribed medications and lack of counselling.