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Hepatitis C screening in the general population.
- Source :
-
Revista de investigacion clinica; organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion [Rev Invest Clin] 2015 Mar-Apr; Vol. 67 (2), pp. 104-8. - Publication Year :
- 2015
-
Abstract
- Background: A significant number of patients infected with hepatitis C virus remain unaware of their infection, as this is a silent disease for many years. Patients are frequently detected at advance stages of the disease.<br />Objective: To identify the prevalence and viremic stage of hepatitis C among a general population cohort.<br />Methods: Anti-hepatitis C virus detection and viral RNA were offered without cost to individuals who voluntarily considered it relevant to be examined, as part of the World Hepatitis Day annually from 2007-2014.<br />Results: A total of 32,945 individuals were analyzed; 57% were female and 43% male. Of them, 75.7% were between 21-50 years old. In 59%, the sample was obtained at their work place and in 41% at the facilities of 12 private laboratories. Anti-hepatitis C virus was positive in 194 patients (0.58%), of which 129 (66%) were confirmed positive by polymerase chain reaction. The overall prevalence of viremic cases in the sample was 0.39%.<br />Conclusions: Adequate estimation of the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus and viremic population, not only among high-risk groups but also in the general population, is central to the allocation of resources in an effort to reduce the consequences of the disease.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0034-8376
- Volume :
- 67
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Revista de investigacion clinica; organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25938843