Screening for chronic hepatitis C: American College of Preventive Medicine practice policy statement.
Hepatitis C is an under-diagnosed and prevalent bloodborne illness, resulting in chronic cirrhosis in up to 25% of those infected. While the overall prevalence in the United States is 1.7%, high-risk populations may have up to 80% prevalence. The mechanism of transmission is well understood, but effective preventive measures are hampered by economic, social, and political factors. Antiviral treatment is expensive, and efficacy ranges from 40% to 85%. The value of screening high-risk populations has been demonstrated, and should be expanded; however, there is insufficient evidence to recommend universal screening for adults.
Hill
Linda
L
University of California-San Diego and San Diego State University, General Preventive Medicine Residency, University of California-San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
Henry
Bonnie
B
Schweikert
Suzanne
S
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D011640:Public Policy; D012955:Societies, Medical; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology