Naveed Ahmed, Ghulam Mustafa K, Mohammad Shuaib, Malik Wasim Ahmed.
Incidence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in patients admitted for orthopedic surgery.
J Pak Orthop Assoc Jan ;23(3):129-34.

Objectives: To assess the frequency and risk factors of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C in patients undergoing Orthopedic surgery at Civil Hospital Karachi. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in Orthopedic Department of Civil Hospital Karachi, 1st Jan 2009 to 31th December 2010. Study Design: Crossectional Patients and Methods: A total of 1000 patients were included in the study. Patients underwent blood testing for the presence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody to Hepatitis B surface antigen (anti HBs), antibody to Hepatitis B core antigen (anti HBc) and antibody to Hepatitis C virus (anti HCV). Positive Hepatitis B surface antigen samples were also tested for Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg). A questionnaire was also filled to assess the risk factors of Hepatitis. Results: Out of 1000 patients, 554 were females and 446 were males. Age ranged from 10 to 100 with mean age of 35 years. 32 (3.2%) patients tested positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen of these 10 (1%) were positive for Hepatitis B e antigen. 102 (10.2%) patients were anti HCV positive. Most important risk factor was the history of travel followed by a history of dental intervention. Conclusion: Health care personnel should be aware of a very high frequency of Hepatitis in surgical patients. All surgical patients should be screened for Hepatitis B and C and universal precautions should be taken to deal with positive patients. Immunization against Hepatitis B needs to be addressed at the national level as Hepatitis B can be prevented by proper immunization.

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