Does hepatitis C virus infection increase hematocrit and hemoglobin levels in hemodialyzed patients?
OBJECTIVE: Some case reports indicated that red cell status increased after hepatitis C viral infection. The aim of study was to define the influence of hepatitis C infection (HCV) on red cell status in hemodialyzed patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 49 (21 anti-HCV-positive and 28 anti-HCV-negative) patients with ESRD were included in this study. Exclusion criteria were blood transfusion and massive blood loss in the last 6 months preceding the study. None of the patients used any drug containing aluminum. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-HCV antibody was 42.8%. Mean age was 51.6 +/- 14.3 in anti-HCV (+) group and 50.4 +/- 17.0 in anti-HCV (-) group. There was no statistically significant difference between the ages of the 2 groups. Mean duration time of hemodialysis was significantly longer in patients with anti-HCV antibody (+) group (54.9 +/- 34.2 months) compared to anti-HCV-negative group (12.5 +/- 9.0 months) (p < 0.001). Mean hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Htc) levels
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