The diagnosis of hepatitis C in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine clinic.
A retrospective casenote study was conducted to examine the risk factors for patients who were diagnosed as hepatitis C (HCV)-positive (between 1999 and 2001) in a semi-rural genitourinary medicine (GUM) setting in Staffordshire, UK. There was a remarkable escalation in the number of reported HCV-positive cases, year on year, in our study. The majority of the positive cases (20/21) gave a history of previous intravenous drug use (IVDU). The incidence of other sexually transmitted infections were reportedly high in our HCV-positive patients. The increasing number of reported HCV-positive cases in the GUM clinic of the semi-rural Staffordshire setting, may reflect a national pattern that needs further investigations. We advise that HCV serology should be offered to GUM clients (who have a history of IVDU), and to their sex partners. They should also be advised to take tests to exclude other STDs. The case for offering HCV serology as a routine test for patients who request 'the exclusion of STDs' is still undecided.
Markos
A R
AR
Consultant in Genitourinary Medicine and Sexual Health, Staffordshire General Hospital, Weston Road, Stafford ST16 3SA, UK.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology