Frequency of Thrombocytopenia in Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: Thrombocytopenia, characterized by a reduced platelet count, is commonly reported with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Effective management of thrombocytopenia in HCV-infected patients typically involves addressing the underlying viral infection, monitoring platelet levels, and implementing treatments to manage the platelet count or alleviate symptoms. Objective: To find out the frequency of thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Methods: A cross-sectional study on chronic hepatitis C patients was conducted at the Medicine department of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Hospital Larkana. The study duration was six months, from September 27, 2023, to March 26, 2024. One hundred and fifty-nine patients were consecutively enrolled and assessed for chronic HCV duration, symptoms and treatment. Blood samples were collected aseptically and evaluated for complete blood count (CBC) to confirm thrombocytopenia. Data was recorded in a predesigned proforma and analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Of the 159 chronic HCV patients, thrombocytopenia was found in 30.2% (n=48) patients. Male patients were 66.0% (n=105) and female patients were 34.0% (n=54). The mean age was 41.68 years with a standard deviation of ±13.01. Conclusion: Thrombocytopenia was present in a significant number of the patients presented with chronic HCV infection. This highlights the significance of monitoring platelet levels in patients with chronic HCV to manage and mitigate potential complications.