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Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HBV) infection is a common health problem that has a worldwide distribution. Apart from the direct effect of the virus on the liver, there are many extrahepatic manifestations among which the probable effect on bone turnover associated with low bone mineral density (BMD) and deficiency of vitamin D. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of bone mineral metabolism and vitamin D in patients with chronic hepatitis C. This study which included a total of 45 patients with chronic HBV (age range 25–50 years) and 50 healthy people were invited to participate in the present study. Attending Imam Hussein Medical City, Karbala. Biochemical tests included total serum calcium, phosphate, and creatinine and total alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D. Serum concentrations of biochemical bone markers were in the normal range for both CHC patients and controls did not differ significantly in results.