Statistical Analysis of Diabetes Mellitus and Viral Hepatitis B and/or C among Asymptomatic Subjects in Taraba State Nigeria

Hepatotropic viruses (HBV and HCV) and glucose metabolism disorder (Prediabetes Mellitus (Pre-DM) or Diabetes mellitus (DM)) are serious public health challenge. The triple are reported to be among the fastest growing diseases around the world. Little studies have been carried on the coinfections of these diseases. This study sought to determine the prevalence of hepatotropic viruses and glucose metabolism disorder and coinfections between the diseases. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis performed among 138 randomly selected asymptomatic subjects in Taraba State using Cohcran’s formular for determining sample size. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test of association were used with the help of Microsoft excel 2016, SPSS version 25 and Minitab version 17. Specimen collection and laboratory analysis were carried out inline with WHO guidelines by well trained and qualified laboratory staff of CFID. Results: The overall prevalence of HBV, HCV and glucose metabolism disorder recorded in the study were 8.7%, 15.2% and 4.3%. However, 9.4% of the subjects screened were prediabetic, 0.7% of the subjects were coinfected with HBV and DM, 0.7% were also coinfected with HCV and DM. None of the subjects were coinfected with the triple infections (HBV+HCV+DM). No statistically significant association was observed between glucose metabolism disorder and hepatotropic viruses. The demographic variables tested (gender and age) were not significantly associated with glucose metabolism disorder. However, age was statistically associated with one of the hepatotropic viruses (HCV). Conclusion: This study recorded high prevalence of hepatotropic viruses (HBV = 8.7% and HCV = 15.2%) and glucose metabolism disorder (Pre-DM = 9.7% and DM = 4.3%).