[National study of screening practices for hepatitis C among hemodialysis patients. Hepatitis Group].
French and American consensus conferences on hepatitis C confirmed the burden of that disease, especially in high risk populations. In France, the seroprevalence of HCV is about 20% among haemodialysed patients. This study aimed at describing the French screening practices in haemodialysed patients. In 1995, 1213 self-administered questionnaires were sent to nephrologists working in 715 dialysis units. The response rate was 48% (585/1213) and 485 questionnaires were analysed. In 98% of questionnaires nephrologists answered that they prescribed screening test. Routine screening with alanine amino-transferase (ALT) was reported in 98% of questionnaires, usually once a month (57%) or four times a year (23%). Routine anti-HCV serology was reported by 96%, usually once (28%) or twice (46%) a year. The two main annual strategies combining ALT and anti-HCV serology were 12 ALT and 2 serologies (21%), or 12 ALT and 1 serology (14%) per year. HCV RNA detection was reported mainly in the case of positive anti-HCV serology (70%). The study suggested heterogeneity in screening practices and revealed the need to determine the cost-effectiveness ratios of the various strategies.
Ducret
N
N
Département d'information médicale des Hospices civils de Lyon.
Mercier
S
S
Colin
C
C
Vergnon
P
P
Laroche
C
C
Bailly
F
F
Caillette
A
A
Labeeuw
M
M
Trepo
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000145:classification*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001707:Biopsy, Needle / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy / Q000635:transmission; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007158:Immunologic Techniques / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007372:Interferons / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009398:Nephrology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D065227:Transfusion Reaction; D014195:Travel
D015415:Biomarkers; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D007372:Interferons; D000410:Alanine Transaminase