Assessment of Hematological Parameters in Patients with Viral Hepatitis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Viral hepatitis, particularly Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, remains a major global health concern. The liver plays a crucial role in the metabolism and regulation of blood cells; therefore, hepatic dysfunction may influence hematological parameters. Assessment of these parameters can provide valuable insights into the systemic effects of viral hepatitis.

Objective: To assess and compare hematological parameters among patients with HBV infection, HCV infection, and healthy controls.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 50 participants at A.C.S. Hospital, Chennai, comprising 20 HBV-positive patients, 20 HCV-positive patients, and 10 healthy controls. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed using the SYSMEX XN-100 automated hematology analyzer. Hematological parameters including hemoglobin (Hb), red blood cell count (RBC), total white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and red cell distribution width (RDW) were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA.  

Results: Healthy controls exhibited comparatively higher values of Hb, RBC, PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC than hepatitis-infected patients. No statistically significant differences were observed among the study groups (p > 0.05). However, greater variability in MCV and PCV values was observed among HCV-positive patients.  

Conclusion: Viral hepatitis was associated with minor variations in hematological parameters; however, these differences were not statistically significant. Larger studies are warranted to further investigate hematological alterations associated with HBV and HCV infections.