FREQUENCY OF HEPATITIS C SEROPOSITIVITY AMONG PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a global health burden, with an increased risk of chronic complications in patients with comorbidities. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been associated with higher HCV prevalence, potentially due to shared risk factors and the impact of chronic HCV on glucose metabolism. Objective: To determine the frequency of hepatitis C seropositivity among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Tertiary Care Hospital, Peshawar. Duration of Study: January 2025 to July 2025. Methods: A total of 178 patients, aged 21–70 years and of either gender, with a diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus, were enrolled. Patients with other liver diseases, renal disease, or cardiac disease were excluded from the study. Blood samples were collected and tested for HCV seropositivity using standard serological assays. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.63 ± 9.46 years. Among the patients, 103 (57.9%) were female and 75 (42.1%) were male. The overall frequency of HCV seropositivity in type 2 diabetic patients was 27 (15.2%). Conclusion: The frequency of hepatitis C seropositivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus was found to be 15.2%. This highlights the importance of routine HCV screening in diabetic populations to facilitate early diagnosis and management.