Frequency of Thrombocytopenia in Patients Infected with Hepatitis C Virus Infection of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection is a global health issue, particularly prevalent in Pakistan. HCV can cause significant liver damage and various hematologic abnormalities, including thrombocytopenia, which increases the risk of bleeding and bruising. Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency of thrombocytopenia in patients infected with HCV at a tertiary care hospital and to explore the associations with demographic and clinical characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, enrolling 200 HCV-reactive patients aged 18-65 years, excluding those with liver cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, liver cancer, end-stage renal disease, coexisting viral infections, and pregnant females. Venous blood samples were collected to confirm HCV through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and to perform a complete blood count (CBC) for platelet (PLT) count. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with quantitative variables summarized as mean and standard deviation, and qualitative variables expressed as frequencies and percentages. Associations between thrombocytopenia and various factors were evaluated using the chi-square test. Results: Of the 200 patients, 72 (36.00%) were males and 128 (64.00%) females, with a mean age of 42.71 ± 13.164 years. Thrombocytopenia (PLT count <150 x 10^9/L) was present in 47 (23.50%) patients. No statistically significant associations were found between thrombocytopenia and demographic or clinical characteristics, except for a weak association with the history of previous surgery (p=0.048). The mean PLT count was 213.53 ± 79.546 x 10^9/L. Conclusion: A significant proportion of HCV-infected patients had thrombocytopenia, with a higher prevalence observed among females. The findings underscore the need for regular monitoring of platelet counts in HCV patients to prevent and manage complications.