Assessment Of Nutritional Status Among Patients Suffering From HCV Visiting Public Hospitals Of Lahore

Nutritional Status Among Patients Suffering From HCV

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus is an infectious liver disease. The infection is generally asymptomatic commonly in its early stages but when it's confirmed, it can lead to advanced liver diseases such as liver fibrosis and then cirrhosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the nutritional status of patients suffering from HCV visiting public hospitals of Lahore.

METHODS: A Descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted on 100 hepatitis C patients using a questionnaire. Data were collected about their socio-demographic profile and dietary recall. Analysis of various factors associated with hepatitis C virus was done using chi square and p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: 60% of the Hepatitis C patients were having low socioeconomic status, 44% Patients were taking 2-3 servings of rice daily and had less consumption of fruits, vegetables, mutton and milk.

CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the data collected in the study, it was clearly evident that the majority of patients suffering from HCV belong to low socio-economic group of society with poor nutritional status and were malnourished. Their diet consisted mostly of carbohydrates (chappati's and rice) with low biological value animal proteins or dairy products (butter, cheese and milk).