Asif Irfan, Shamsul Arfeen.
Hepatitis C virus infection in spouses.
Pak J Med Res Jan ;43(3):113-6.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the concomitant levels of seropositivity for anti-HCV, in the spouses of patients with chronic HCV infection. Design: A case control study. Place and duration of the study: Specialist Satellite Clinic of Federal Government Services Hospital, Islamabad. The study was carried out from Sept 2000 to Sept 2002. Methods: 23 consecutive patients found positive for HCV Ab and their spouses were enrolled in the study. 23 age and sex matched patients coming for other problems and found Hepatitis C Virus Antibody (HCV Ab) Negative were included as controls. Their spouses were also included in the study. A detailed history (of risk factors) and examination was done. Their Serum ALT, bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and HCV Ab were requested. PCR for HCV RNA was done for the patients found positive for HCV Ab. Results:-The mean age of the patients was 40.18 years(sd=5.47) and that of the spouses was 39.54 years(sd=10.29). In the history only 7(30.43%)patients vs 0% spouse had suffered an episode of jaundice. There was history of, parental exposure in all the patients and their spouses (100%),ear piercing in all female patients and female spouses, shave or haircut by a barber in all male patients and male spouses, transfusions in 7(30.43%) patients vs 0% spouses, some surgical procedure 6 patients(26%) vs 1(4.34%)spouse. Three (13.04%) patients had six risk factor, 2(8.69%) patients had 5 risk factors, 2(8.69%) patients had 4 risk factors, 4(17.39%) patients had 3 risk factors, 2(8.69%) patients had 2 risk factors, 10(43.27%) patients had 1 risk factor only. The mean period of cohabitation was 16.44(sd=7.62) years in the observation groups and 15.33(sd=6.833) years in the controls. The positive couple had been living together for 17 years. The mean ALT was higher in the patients (1 76i.u[sd 207.49]) than their spouses (33i.u) or the controls (28 i.u). The positive couple had the risk factors of injections, ear piercing, multiple sexual partners and surgical procedure in the patient and history of injections, razor blades and multiple partners in her spouse. The PCR for HCV RNA of the patient was positive but her spouse was HCV RNA negative. Out of the 23 spouses of the patients of Hepatitis C only one was found positive for HCVAb giving a prevalence of 4.34%. The same prevalence( 4.34%) was seen in the spouses of the controls. Odds Ratio is 1(95% CI, 0.005 to 1.04). An odd ratio of 1 indicates that the spouse of a patient or control have an equal of risk of acquiring the disease. Conclusions: The finding of our study suggest that the risk of sexual transmission is low. Used syringes, used razor blades and ear piercing are important risk factors in our patients.

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