Hepatitis-C prevalence in an urban native-American clinic: a prospective screening study.
BACKGROUND
Native-American populations are disproportionately burdened by chronic liver disease, and the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in native Americans is unknown.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C in a local native-American population via a prospective screening study.


METHODS
Two-hundred-forty-three native Americans (161 females/82 males) using an urban clinic and representing > 30 tribes from across the United States were screened. Mean age was 41 +/- 1 years. Hepatitis-C screening was by anti-HCV with confirmation by HCV RNA. A questionnaire assessed potential risk factors for HCV.


RESULTS
Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 11.5% (95% CI: 7.5-15.5%). HCV RNA was present by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 8.6% (95% CI: 5.1-12.1%) and was more common in males [13.4% (95% CI: 6.0-20.8%)] than females [6.2% (95% CI: 2.5-9.9%)]. The most common potential risk factors for chronic HCV infection were intravenous (IV) drug or cocaine use (p < 0.0001), tattoos > 5 years old (p < 0.0001) and having a sexual partner with HCV (p = 0.0063).


CONCLUSIONS
HCV prevalence is higher in an urban native-American clinic population than reported in the general U.S. population. Use of IV drugs is the most prevalent risk factor, but tattoos and sexual transmission may also be important.
Neumeister
Amy S
AS
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-3020, USA.
Pilcher
LaVada E
LE
Erickson
Judi M
JM
Langley
Lora L
LL
Murphy
Mary M
MM
Haukaas
Nicole M
NM
Mailliard
Mark E
ME
Larsen
Jennifer L
JL
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006786:Hospitals, Urban / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009329:Nebraska / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D013653:Tattooing; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D016549:United States Indian Health Service; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies