Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains an important cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Hospital-based data describing the clinical spectrum, routes of case detection and reported exposure histories of HCV seropositive adults in northern Bangladesh remain limited.
Materials and Methods: This hospital-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients attending the outpatient and inpatient services of the Department of Hepatology, Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, Bogura, from 1 January to 31 December 2025. Sixty-five adults with reactive anti-HCV by ELISA were included by consecutive sampling. Sociodemographic characteristics, reason for HCV testing, recorded diagnosis, selected exposure histories, SGPT, Child-Pugh class and BCLC stage where applicable were analyzed. Categorical data were expressed as frequency and percentage; age as mean±SD, and SGPT as median (IQR).
Results: The mean age was 45.6±12.6 years (Age range 19 to 70 year); 53.8% (35) were female, 29 44.6% (29) male and one 1.5% (01) third gender. Evaluation of elevated liver enzymes was the commonest reason for testing 36.9% (24). Liver cirrhosis was the most frequent recorded diagnosis 32.3% (21), followed by chronic hepatitis C 26.2% (17) and chronic liver disease (F1-F3) 20.0% (13). Cirrhosis with or without HCC was recorded in 41.5% (27) patients, while one additional patient had HCC without cirrhosis. Blood/blood-product transfusion 72.3% (47) and previous surgery 61.5% (40) were common reported exposure histories. Median SGPT was 120 U/L (IQR 73-165). Among 26 patients in whom Child-Pugh classification was applicable, 73.1% (19) were in class C.
Conclusion: The hospital cohort showed a broad spectrum of HCV associated liver disease, with a substantial proportion presenting Cirrhosis and HCC. Transfusion and previous surgery were frequently reported exposures. Earlier case detection, virological confirmation of current infection and linkage to curative treatment may reduce progression to advanced liver disease.

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