Assessment of prescription practices for serological tests for viral hepatitis B and C in the Greater Parisian area in 2002.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to ascertain the reasons for the prescription of serological tests for viral hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) in the Greater Parisian area, and to assess standards of prescription with respect to current guidelines.


METHODS
The population studied comprised patients affiliated to the three main health insurance schemes in the Greater Parisian area, for whom at least one serological test for HBV or HCV was reimbursed on May 14th or 15th, 2002. Data was collected from prescribing and laboratory heads.


RESULTS
The sample consisted of 1 046 prescription orders for HBV and/or HCV tests. The mean age of patients was 39 years, and 68% were females. The main medical indications declared by the prescribing physicians were: screening for HBV or HCV (40%), tests for pregnant women (19%), suspected hepatitis B or C (13%), pre- and post-vaccination tests for HBV (7%), medically assisted procreation (6%), follow-up of diagnosed chronic hepatitis (4%). Assessment of the standards of prescription orders showed a lack of compliance with guidelines for 71% of HBV tests, and 56% of HCV tests.


CONCLUSIONS
The implementation of guidelines for the prescription of serological tests for HBV and HCV needs to be improved in clinical practice.
Galula
Gilles
G
Direction régionale du Service Médical l'Assurance Maladie de la région Ile de France, Paris. gilles.galula@ersm-idf.cnamts.fr
Buffet
Catherine
C
Robba
Laurence
L
Poissonnet
Marc
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007349:Insurance, Health, Reimbursement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012698:Serologic Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*