Muhammad Umar, Hamamatul Bushra Khaar, Muhammad Khurram, Zubair Hasan.
Anti-hcv antibody positivity of various sections of Pakistani patients.
J Coll Physicians Surg Pak Jan ;19(11):737-41.

Objective: To determine the anti-HCV antibody status of various sections of the Pakistani population and patients as reported in various Pakistani studies. Study Design: A meta-analysis. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical College and Allied Hospitals, Rawalpindi, from July 2007 to July 2008. Methodology: Data pertaining to anti-HCV antibody status of various sections of the Pakistani population and patients was collected from studies published till July 2008. To note anti-HCV antibody status, 15 groups of subjects like liver disease patients, general blood donors, adult screening, and community prevalence etc. were identified. The frequency of total and anti-HCV antibody positive subjects of each group was noted. Chi2 was used as test of significance for comparison wherever appropriate. Results: Data from 183 studies was collected; 1004391 subjects anti-HCV antibody status was retrieved. 4.27% (n=42982) of these were anti-HCV antibody positive. Major bulk of patients with liver disease (56.9%), 2.71% of general and 10.39% of professional blood donors groups were positive, (p < 0.05). Positivity in community and adult screening was 11.52 and 6.29% respectively. Conclusion: According to the studies in consideration; 2.71% of Pakistani general blood donors and major bulk of liver disease patients are anti-HCV positive. Community based anti-HCV positivity is 11.52%.

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