Risk factors, clinical features and genotype distribution of diagnosed hepatitis C virus infections: a pilot for a sentinel laboratory-based surveillance.
Hepatitis C is a global public health problem. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to determine the frequency of reported risk factors and possible transmission routes in individuals in whom HCV antibody (anti-HCV) was newly detected. Seven public health laboratories in England and Wales reported persons with positive anti-HCV tests over a three-month period (1st November 1996-31st January 1997). A questionnaire was then sent to the clinician or general practitioner (GP) who requested the test. A total of 320 laboratory reports were received from participating laboratories and 221 (69%) questionnaires were received from clinicians and GPs. Of those patients from whom a questionnaire was received (median age 36 years; males 72.9%, females 23.1%), 86% had one or more risk factors for infection reported by the clinician/GP. Injecting drug use (68%) was the main risk factor reported. Reasons for testing included being in a known risk group (65%), liver disease (19%) and blood donation (1.4%). Of the total responders, 67% were asymptomatic, and of those that had had liver function tests 50% were abnormal. The most prevalent HCV genotypes were 3a and 1a. Risk factors for HCV infection can be identified using a simple postal questionnaire to clinicians/GPs who request patient screening.
Health Protection Agency, Immunisation Division, Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ.
M A
MA
Balogun
H
H
Laurichesse
M E
ME
Ramsay
J
J
Sellwood
D
D
Westmoreland
W K
WK
Paver
S F
SF
Pugh
M
M
Zuckerman
D
D
Pillay
T
T
Wreghitt
D000328:Adult; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007753:Laboratories / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015980:Public Health Practice; D012307:Risk Factors; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies