Etiological Spectrum and Clinical Outcomes of Patients Admitted with Acute Viral Hepatitis: A Retrospective Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36283//ziun-pjmd14-3/011Keywords:
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis E, Liver Function Test, EpidemiologyAbstract
Background: Acute viral hepatitis poses a significant health burden in urban Pakistan, especially Karachi, due to poor sanitation and limited healthcare infrastructure, highlighting the need to understand its causes, clinical features, and outcomes.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at Hamdard University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from January 2020 to July 2023. Patients of all ages with a confirmed diagnosis of acute viral hepatitis were included using non-probability consecutive sampling. Data were collected from medical records, including demographics, clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters such as Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin level, along with the outcomes. Patients were categorized based on the etiologies of hepatitis A, B, and E. Data were analyzed using SPSS v25, with appropriate statistical tests applied based on variable type and distribution. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Out of 276 patients, hepatitis A accounted for 173 (62.9%) cases, followed by hepatitis E 93 (33.8%) and hepatitis B 9 (3.3%). The mean age of patients was 19.14 ±3.18 years, with a significant male predominance in hepatitis A 72 (70.6%) and a higher female prevalence in hepatitis E 72 (41.1%). The mean ALT, AST, and bilirubin levels were 1562.15 ±744.49 U/L, 1358.42 ±682.41 U/L, and 7.21 ±3.85 mg/dL, respectively, with no significant differences across etiologies. Liver failure occurred in 17 (6.2%) of cases, and 28 (10.2%) required intensive care unit admission. The majority of the hepatitis cases were reported in August (53, 19.27%), September (37, 13.45%), and July (36, 13.09%), corresponding to the monsoon periods.
Conclusion: Hepatitis A and E were the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis among hospitalized patients.
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