Factors associated with use of ultrasonography screening for hepatocellular carcinoma among hepatitis B or C carriers.
OBJECTIVE
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are important risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Yet, there have been few studies on adherence to screening recommendations for groups at high risk for HCC. We assessed whether demographic factors or medical conditions affected screening participation among HBV/HCV carriers.


METHODS
The study population consisted of 15565 men and women who visited the National Cancer Center, Korea between August 2002 and July 2009. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic characteristics, medical history, including chronic HBV and HCV infection, and health check-up history. HBV surface antigen and HCV antibody levels were measured in serum.


RESULTS
Among 781 HBV carriers, 596 (76.3%) were aware of their infection and 451 (57.8%) had ever been tested by ultrasonography. Among HCV carriers, 49 of 127 (36.6%) were aware of their infection and 61 (48.0%) had ever been tested by ultrasonography. Among HBV carriers, male sex (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.22-2.31), family history of liver disease (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.43-2.90), medical history of hyperlipidemia (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.36-5.33), and awareness of infection status (OR, 4.30; 95% CI, 2.99-6.17) were associated with being tested. Among HCV carriers, awareness of infection (OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.72-8.26) was significantly associated with being tested by ultrasonography.


CONCLUSIONS
Male sex, family history of liver disease, medical history of hyperlipidemia, and awareness of high risk status were associated with being tested by ultrasonography.
Cho
Eo Rin
ER
Cancer Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management, Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 410-769, Republic of Korea.
Shin
Aesun
A
Choi
Kui Son
KS
Lee
Hoo-Yeon
HY
Kim
Jeongseon
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000821:virology; D002353:Carrier State; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography