Abstract

Background: Anemia is the most common hematological abnormality in chronic renal failure. Iron deficiency is frequent in patients with renal failure, and iron need is increased by erythropoietin (EPO) therapy. The relationship between iron stores and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is dubitable as it is not clear whether HCV infection facilitates iron accumulation or increased iron storage predisposes to HCV infection.
Methodology: A case-control study was conducted in hemodialysis (HD) center at King Salman Armed Forces Hospital in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The study population includes patient with end-stage renal disease undergoing HD with case:control, and the participants randomly assigned into two groups according to their HCV status.
Results: The study population consisted of 156 Saudi patients (44 anti-HCV antibody-positive and 112 anti- HCV antibody-negative), who were divided into two groups. There was no statistically significant difference between hemoglobin, hematocrit values, EPO dose, and the need for intravenous iron between HCV-positive patients compared with HCV-negative patients.
Conclusion: The effect of HCV on the blood parameter was found to be unclear in this study and has been always a controversial issue; furthermore, studies are needed to clarify it.

Key words: Chronic hepatitis C, erythropoiesis, hemoglobin