[Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection in a hospitalized population in a gastroenterology unit. Role of endoscopic biopsies].
OBJECTIVE
In order to study the prevalence and risk factors of HCV infection in a population hospitalized in a Gastroenterology Unit, 3,767 patients were tested for serum anti-HCV, and 2,607 filled out a questionnaire about risk factors.


RESULTS
With the RIBA 2 test, the overall prevalence was 5.9%. Because of the age distribution, two populations were studied. In patients younger than 45, intravenous drug use was the only independent risk factor linked to serum anti-HCV positivity (Odds ratio: 151, CI 95%: 66.9-340). In patients older than 45, the independent risk factors were chronic liver disease (Odds ratio: 8.5, CI 95%: 4.4-16.8), per-endoscopic biopsies (Odds ratio: 2.7, CI 95%: 1.4-5.4), and blood transfusions (Odds ratio: 1.8, CI 95%: 0.9-3.5). Two variables were dominant for the entire population: IV drug use and chronic liver disease. In patients without these factors, only one risk factor was linked to serum anti-HCV positivity: perendoscopic biopsies (Odds ratio: 5.2, CI 95%: 1.6-16.5).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that HCV may be transmitted by perendoscopic biopsies.
Andrieu
J
J
Service de Gastroentérologie, hôpital André-Mignot, Le Chesnay.
Barny
S
S
Colardelle
P
P
Maisonneuve
P
P
Giraud
V
V
Robin
E
E
Bréart
G
G
Coste
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000635:transmission; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
Prévalence et facteurs de risque de l'infection par le virus de l'hépatite C dans une population hospitalisée en Gastroentérologie. Rôle des biopsies per-endoscopiques.