[Epidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in 1,304 HCV positive patients: variations according to the origin of transmission and year of diagnosis].
The evolution of epidemiological data on hepatitis C virus infection is poorly documented and thus the impact of screening is difficult to evaluate.


OBJECTIVE
To study epidemiological variations based on the origin of transmission and the year of diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection.


METHODS
The files of all 1304 patients seen in the hepatology unit of the Rennes University Hospital were analyzed (retrospectively before and prospectively after October 1995) in relation to epidemiological features.


RESULTS
Despite widespread screening which is the source of 60% of the diagnoses, the total number of new cases of hepatitis C infection per year has not increased. Compared to patients diagnosed in the first years following the discovery of the virus, patients recently identified were younger (42 +/- 14 years) and frequently drug addicts (40%). Aminotransaminases were normal in 20% of cases. The frequency of cirrhosis has declined (17%). There has been a decrease in the proportion of patients who undergo liver biopsy (50%) and treatment with interferon (one third of patients).


CONCLUSIONS
The impact of screening on the number of newly treated patients seems to be lower than previously predicted.
Clinique des Maladies du Foie et Inserm U49, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Pontchaillou, Rennes.
D
D
Guyader
C
C
Lefeuvre
S
S
Jacquelinet
M
M
Prat
Y
Y
Baudouard
B
B
Turlin
P
P
André
M H
MH
Mendler
T
T
Sapey
E
E
Boucher
R
R
Moirand
M
M
Messner
R
R
Colimon
P
P
Brissot
Y
Y
Deugnier
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000032:analysis*; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
Epidémiologie de l'infection virale C chez 1,304 sujets VHC positif. Variations en fonction du mode de contamination et de l'année du diagnostic.