FREQUENCY OF THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN CHRONIC ACTIVE HEPATITIS C PATIENTS – A HINDRANCE IN TREATMENT

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is considered to be the main etiological factor for chronic liver disease. Thrombocytopenia is a common complication in patients with chronic liver disease which has been observed in 76% of cases. This occurs due to splenic platelet sequestration, bone marrow suppression by chronic hepatitis C and antiviral therapy. Objective: The present study was designed to determine the frequency of Thrombocytopenia in Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH) caused by Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Study design: It was a Cross Sectional study. Place and duration of study: This study was conducted in Department of Hematology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore from June to December 2010. Results: In the present study the frequency of thrombocytopenia was 22.6%. Conclusion: Patients who develop hematological abnormalities during treatment need hematological growth factor support so that treatment should be continued with no hindrance.