Demographic, clinical, and psychological data of PCR positive and negative patients
| Characteristic |
PCR
positive (n=87) (%) |
PCR
negative (n=68) (%) |
Statistical analysis (t test or χ2) |
| Age at diagnosis (mean (SD)) (y) | 45.7 (6.0) | 45.8 (4.9) | NS |
| Source of infection (HCV contaminated anti-D) | 87 (100) | 68 (100) | NS |
| Duration of infection (y) | 22–23 | 22–23 | NS |
| Alcohol >14 IU/week (%) | 5 (5.7) | 3 (4.4) | NS |
| No of dependents (mean; range) | 4.1 (1–10) | 4.4 (1–11) | NS |
| Marital status (%) | |||
| Married | 78 (89.7) | 59 (86.8) | NS |
| Single | 2 (2.3) | 0 | NS |
| Separated | 4 (4.6) | 8 (11.8) | NS |
| Widowed | 3 (3.4) | 1 (1.5) | NS |
| Geographical region (%) | |||
| Urban | 44 (50.6) | 28 (41.2) | NS |
| Rural | 43 (49.4) | 40 (58.8) | NS |
| ALT (IU/l) at diagnosis (mean (SD)) | 50.6 (31) | 25.1 (15.4) | p=0.000 |
| ALT (IU/l) after 4/5 years follow up (mean (SD)) | 51 (37.5) | 22.7 (6.5) | p=0.000 |
| History of icteric hepatitis (%) | 3 (3.4) | 14 (20.6) | p=0.002 |
| Psychological well being (GHQ30) (mean (SD)) | 15 (9.55) (n=43) | 13.5 (9.84) (n=23) | NS |
| Anxiety (HADS) (mean (SD)) | 9.8 (3.97) (n=43) | 9.1 (6.05) (n=23) | NS |
| Depression (HADS) (mean (SD)) | 7.6 (4.1) (n=43) | 7.1 (5.37) (n=23) | NS |
HCV, hepatitis C virus; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; ALT, alanine aminotransferase; GHQ, general health questionnaire; HADS, hospital anxiety and depression scale.