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Hepatitis C seroprevalence in an at-risk population in the southwest Madrid region of Spain.

Authors :
Alonso López S
Agudo Fernández S
García Del Val A
Martínez Abad M
López Hermosa Seseña P
Izquierdo MJ
Núñez I
Berbel León S
Visedo Campillo L
Guisado Pérez C
Sánchez Lozano S
Mariño Pfeiffer I
García Bermúdez L
Sánchez Jiménez FJ
López Vega E
Zambrano Álvarez J
Castro Pastor ML
Montes Ramírez G
Murillo C
Villafranca Ortega N
Ayuso Hernández I
Espejo M
Lasala López P
Rodríguez Caravaca G
Carrascosa Aguilar B
Gutiérrez García ML
Fernández Rodríguez C
Source :
Gastroenterologia y hepatologia [Gastroenterol Hepatol] 2016 Dec; Vol. 39 (10), pp. 656-662. Date of Electronic Publication: 2016 Jul 11.
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Introduction: The estimated seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Spain is 1.7%, but is much higher in the at-risk population. The most efficient national screening strategy is unclear.<br />Aims: To estimate the prevalence of HCV among the at-risk population seen in primary care (PC), and to determine their epidemiological profile.<br />Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive prevalence study that included adult patients with risk factors for HCV infection seen in PC in the southwest Madrid region between 2010 and 2012.<br />Results: A total of 158 patients (men=51.3%), mean age 46 years (SD=16.6), were included. The most common risk factors were hypertransaminasaemia (44.3%) and major surgery (13.3%). Immigration, unsafe sexual practices, and tattoos or body piercing were more prevalent in patients younger than 45 years of age. Fifteen patients (9.5%) were positive for anti-HCV; 9 of these (5.7%) were HCV-ARN positive. Of the positive patients, 4 (44.4%) had significant fibrosis at diagnosis (F3-F4). Male patients had a higher rate of positive anti-HCV results (13.8 vs. 5.3%; P=.072), as did patients older than 45 years of age (12.8 vs. 6.3%; P=.167). Intravenous and intranasal drug use were associated with a higher rate of positive anti-HCV results (50 vs. 8.5%; P=.005 and 66.7 vs. 8.4%; P=.001, respectively).<br />Conclusions: Patients with risk factors for HCV infection have high seroprevalence. Screening programmes must therefore be implemented to detect HCV infection in this population in PC.<br /> (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier España, S.L.U., AEEH y AEG. All rights reserved.)

Details

Language :
English; Spanish; Castilian
ISSN :
0210-5705
Volume :
39
Issue :
10
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Gastroenterologia y hepatologia
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
27417563
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gastrohep.2016.05.002