Seroprevalance of the Hepatitis B and C in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease without History of Renal Replacement Therapy

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses are signifi cant causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is insuffi cient data on seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in CKD patients without renal replacement therapy (RRT).

MATERIAL and METHODS: Patients diagnosed as having CKD without RRT were analyzed. Seven hundred and eighty cases included study.

RESULTS: The seroprevalence of HbsAg and Anti-HCV were 3.5% and 1.3%, respectively. The seroprevalence of Anti-HBsAb analyzed in 456 (58.4%) patients was 39.3%. The seroprevalence of HBsAg and Anti-HCV did not differ between the patients in early stage (stage 3) and advanced stage CKD (Stage 4 and 5) (p=0.26 and p=0.88, respectively). Seropositivity of Anti-HBsAb was 41.9% in early stage and 33.6% in advanced stage CKD (p=0.88). No difference was detected in seroprevalence of HbsAg and Anti-HCV when patients were grouped regarding the underlying disorders of CKD (p=0.95 and p=0.25, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Higher seroprevalence of Anti-HCV in hemodialysis patients, according to studies carried out in our country, may be secondary to the exposure to HCV during hemodialysis procedure. High seropositivity of Anti-HBsAb in early stage CKD, although not statistically signifi cant, may point out the necessity of hepatitis B immunization earlier in the course of CKD. Screening the patients with CKD without RRT for HBsAg and Anti-HCV serologies would be applicable although there is no established consensus in guidelines.