Association of Chronic Hepatitis C and B Virus Infections with Diabetes Mellitus among Adult Ethiopian Patients at Adera Medical Center in Addis Ababa

Introduction: Chronic hepatitis C and hepatitis B virus infections are pandemic affecting more than 170 million and 2 billion people worldwide, respectively. These infections can lead to cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and extra hepatic complications like type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we assessed the association of chronic hepatitis C and B virus infections with diabetes mellitus in adult Ethiopians. Patients and Methods: This cross sectional analytical study was conducted at Adera Medical and Gastroenterology Center in Addis Ababa between September 1 and November 30, 2015. One hundred forty one patients with hepatitis C and 359 patients with hepatitis B viral infection were included in the study upon informed consent and following study approval by the institutional review committee. Data regarding diabetes mellitus risk factors, complete blood count, liver chemistry, fasting blood sugar, and sonography were collected. Hepatitis C and B virus screening was done using rapid antibody test and confirmed by enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay followed by polymerase chain reaction, genotype and viral load testing for treatment. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 20 software and strength of association measured using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. Results: Among the 141 cases with hepatitis C virus infection, the majority (60.4%) were from Addis Ababa, 63% were males, while 61% were below the age of 45 with overall mean (SD) age of 40.7 (95% CI, 39.6-41.9)) years. Genotypes 4 and 1 were predominant, constituting 70% and 20%, respectively. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was diagnosed among 29.8% and 3.6% of the patients with hepatitis C and B viral infections, respectively. Conclusion: Hepatitis C viral infection is statistically significantly associated with the occurrence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, as compared to those with hepatitis B virus infection, indicating the importance of screening for diabetes mellitus with more rigor among patients with hepatitis C virus infection and vice versa.