Viral hepatitis in the U.S. Air Force, 1980-89: an epidemiological and serological study.
This paper reports the epidemiology of hospital-diagnosed acute viral hepatitis in U.S. Air Force personnel from 1980-89. First hospitalizations for viral hepatitis generally declined, ranging from 24.6 to 47.2 per 100,000 personnel. Hepatitis rates were higher among men, (RR = 1.3; 95% C.I., 1.1-1.5) and higher among blacks, compared to whites (RR = 1.4; 95% C.I., 1.3-1.6). Analysis of risk associated with various occupations demonstrated an increased risk of viral hepatitis for procedurally oriented medical personnel (physicians, clinical nurses, dentists) when compared to all other occupations (RR = 1.5; 95% C.I., 1.1-1.9). Pilots and navigators demonstrated a decreased risk of acute viral hepatitis. Members hospitalized for hepatitis B had a prior or concurrent diagnosis for sexually transmitted disease in 37% of cases; for drug abuse, 32% of cases. Serum samples from 332 individuals demonstrated that hepatitis A had the highest rate of agreement (84%) between serology and hospital discharge diagnosis. Only 3% of individuals with the diagnosis of NANB hepatitis were positive for hepatitis C.
Stout
R W
RW
Armstrong Laboratory (AFMC), Epidemiologic Research Division, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5241.
Mitchell
S B
SB
Parkinson
M D
MD
Warner
R D
RD
Miles
R E
RE
Franz
B D
BD
Wolfe
W H
WH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D005260:Female; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009790:Occupations; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People; D001741:Black or African American