Prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus and Its Association With Hepatitis C Virus-Infected Pakistani Females

Insulin resistance has been observed in many patients who are suffering from Hepatitis C infection. HCV is a chronic disease. The objective of the study was to evaluate the relationship between biochemical markers, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and diabetes mellitus in females of Pakistan. A total of 3778 HCV-infected patients and 200 healthy controls participated in this study. Out of these 3530, 93.44 % of cases were positive on anti-HCV ELISA, and 2978, 84.36 % were confirmed by HCV RNA PCR. The samples that were PCR positive were classified into 3 groups HCV without diabetes, HCV with diabetes, and diabetes only. Out of 3778 HCV cases, 2490 83.6% were diabetic, 346 11.61% were HCV + diabetic and 142 4.7% were diabetic only. Laboratory investigations for biochemical parameters including liver, diabetic, and lipid profiles were performed according to manufacturer instructions. The diabetic HCV group means the age group was 40-50 years. The blood glucose level and alanine aminotransferases (ALT) levels were higher in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetic p=<0.001). The group of patients with HCV infection with diabetes had comparably more cholesterol and triglyceride levels compared to the other two groups, p=<0.001). HCV and diabetes have some potent connections in females in Pakistan. This connection becomes more noticeable in HCV patients with diabetes compared to HCV patients without diabetes.