Abstract

Infection with hepatitis C among patients hospitalised to a rheumatic ward in northern Cyprus

Author(s): Meryem Guvenir

Aim of the work: To descry the frequence of hepatitis C contagion (HCV) infection among cases admitted to a rheumatology ward in northern Cyprus.

Cases and styles: 154 cases admitted to the rheumatology department of Near East University Hospital. The demographic data, examination findings and the medical cause of admission together with clinical instantiations of their complaint was recorded. All cases were screened for HCV antibodies and cry globulins.

Results: The mean age of the cases was46.6 ±15.8 times. The opinion amongst the 154 cases included rheumatoid arthritis in 24(15.6), arthralgia in 15(9.7), ankylosing spondylitis in 12(7.8), fibromyalgia pattern in 11(7.1), osteoarthritis in 10(6.5), palindromic rheumatism in 10(6.5), systemic lupus erythematosus in 7(4.5), sjogren’s pattern in 7(4.5), psoriatic arthritis in 17(11.0), vacuities in 5(3.2), Raynaud miracle in 5(3.2), scleroderma in 4(2.6), enteropathic arthritis in 4(2.6), domestic Mediterranean fever in 4(2.6), gout conditions in 3(1.9), reactive arthritis in 7(4.5), behcet’s complaint in 1(0.6) and retroperitoneal fibrosis in 1(0.6) cases. HCV antibodies were negative in all the cases and only 1 manly tested positive for cry globulins. Nearly a quarter of the cases were entering on-steroidal ant- seditious medicines (NSAIDs) and7.1 entered colchicine.

Conclusion: Although rheumatic conditions are noted at a high rate in north Cyprus, there's no associated HCV infection