Relationship of Hepatitis B and C with Deep Vein Thrombosis in I.V Drug Abusers

Introduction. HCV and HBV that are two main causes of hepatic disorders, have many extra hepatic complications that some of them, like progression to antiphospholipid antibodyv syndrome, are still under study. The goal of this research was to evaluate the presence deep vein thrombosis (DVT) as a probable extra hepatic complication of these two diseases. Methods. 148 IV drug abusers, referred to some of Isfahan hospitals and health care centers from 2002 to 2004 were selected with a simple non- randomized method. They were examined for limb thrombosis. Limb affection and duration of IV drug abuse in patients with DVT were obtained. Then, the patients were divided in to two groups: 72(48%) with thrombosis and  Discussion. Regarding to data analysis, (there was) no significant relationship between infection of HBV and HCV with DVT. However, there are some evidences show increase in anti- cardiolipin antibody and anti- phospholipid antibody syndrome in chronic hepatitis patients. Because of some controversies in results of researches, this subject needs more investigation. Also, we concluded that the longer duration of drug abuse, not only increases HBV and HCV infections, but also DVT, which is important for IV drug abusers. 76(52%) without it. Infection with HBV and HCV were confirmed by HBS-Ag and HCV-Ab tests respectively (ELISA mathod) and the correlation between thrombosis and HBV, HCV and demographic factors were analyzed Via x2 and logestic regression tests. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. 45.8% of IV drug abusers with DVT and 34.2 % of those without DVT were HCV positive (P > 0.05)16.6% of those with DVT and 9.2% of those without it were HBV positive (P > 0.05). Apositive correlation was seen between duration of drug abuse and Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and DVT (P— 0.0004, 0.00 1, and 0.000 1, respectively). The most thrombotic limb was right leg (3 3.3%).