Is Peripheral Neuropathy a Part and Parcel of Chronic Hepatitis-C in South Asian Population?

Abstract

Introduction: Management of chronic Hepatitis C and its complications is a major concern for physicians. Peripheral neuropathy is a disease affecting the nerves, and is one of the complications of Hepatitis C. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in chronic hepatitis-C patients. Study design and duration: The type of study is a cross-sectional study, which was conducted over a period of one month from 01-11-2015 to 30-11-2015. Setting: The study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Sample size and procedure: The study population consisted of a random sample group of 139 Hepatitis C positive patients who presented to the Internal Medicine Department either via out-patient clinic or via emergency. After due informed consent, variable such as demographic data and type and degree of neuropathy were recorded. All the Hepatitis-C patients who presented to us during that time were evaluated clinically, serologically and electrophysiologically. Data Analysis: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: Out of the total study population of n= 139 patients peripheral neuropathy was present in n= 77 (55.39%) of the patient population; n= 3 (2.15%) had sensory type of neuropathy, n=13 (9.35%) had motor neuropathy and n= 61 (43.88%) had mixed type of neuropathy. Conclusion: According to the results of our study there is a significant association of peripheral neuropathy with hepatitis C in patients in South Asian population as more than hald of the participants had some form of peripheral neuropathy.