Prevalence and coexistence of diabetes in HIV, HCV and HIV/HCV co- infection in Kermanshah -Iran

Background: Beside various factors for producing diabetes, it seems that chronic hepatitis C, HIV/HCV co-infection, and anti-retroviral treatment especially including protease inhibitors may predispose to diabetes. This study conducted to determine prevalence of diabetes in HIV and HCV patients.

Methods: The registries of 150 HCV patients, 50 HIV patients and 90 HIV/HCV co-infected patients in Hepatic Clinics and consulting center for behavioral disorders in Kermanshah Western Iran was studied. The patients selected using convenience sampling method. Variables including age, sex, duration of disease, injecting drug usage, liver enzymes level, CD4 count, treatment with anti retroviral, treatment with interferon and blood sugar level were collected. Subjects with FBS≥126 or BS≥200 mg/dl described as diabetic. Data analyzed using chi-square and Fisher tests and SPSS software.

Results: The prevalence of diabetes was 2.7%, 4% and 2.2% among patients infected with HCV, HIV and HIV/HCV co infection respectively. None of the variables such as age, sex, liver enzymes, injecting drug usage, CD4 count, antiretroviral treatment and interferon determined as risk factors for diabetes.

Conclusion: Our finding showed that hepatitis C is not a definitive risk factor for diabetes. Although prevalence of diabetes in these patients was determined lower than general Kermanshah population, but factors such as difference in mean age and body mass index (BMI) may contribute in diabetes incidence. Infection with HIV and co-infection with HIV/HCV and treatment with anti retroviral drugs were not risk factors for diabetes.