Prevalence of hepatitis C among psychiatric patients in the public sector.
OBJECTIVE
This study estimated the seroprevalence of hepatitis C virus in a public-sector psychiatric hospital.


METHODS
Patients admitted between Jan. 1, 1998, and Dec. 30, 2000, were routinely screened for hepatitis C virus antibody on admission.


RESULTS
A total of 133 (8.5%) of 1,556 patients admitted were positive for the hepatitis C virus. Aminotransferase levels were elevated but rarely abnormal among patients positive for the hepatitis C virus. Hepatitis B surface antibody was found in 27.8% of the patients positive for the hepatitis C virus. These patients were more likely to receive a diagnosis of psychoactive substance use disorder but no other psychiatric diagnoses.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of hepatitis C virus is high among psychiatric patients in the public sector. Much needs to be learned about the role of universal screening and effective techniques for primary prevention and antiviral treatment in this population.
Dinwiddie
Stephen H
SH
Department of Psychiatry, Finch University of Health Sciences/the Chicago Medical School, Chicago, IL, USA. s_dinwiddie@hotmail.com
Shicker
Louis
L
Newman
Tom
T
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D008111:Liver Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology