title: Prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) serological markers in healthy working population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) changes geographically. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers in healthy working population and to describe the epidemiological characteristics associated to its presence.
  
  
  METHODS
  blood samples and epidemiological data of 5,017 healthy workers from Murcia and Madrid were recorded prospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  a total of 5,017 healthy volunteers participated. Mean age 39 ± 11 years, men predominance (73 %). Prevalence of serological markers of HCV and HBV was 0.6 % and 0.7 %. Age of patients with HCV antibody was significantly higher (43 + or - 9 years vs. 39 + or - 11 years; p = 0.03). We observed significant differences in liver test values (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 64 ± 56 IU/L vs. 28 ± 20 IU/L; p < 0.001; aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (51 + or - 45 IU/L vs. 23 + or - 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) value (104 + or - 122 IU/L vs. 37 + or - 46 IU/L; p < 0.001. The presence of HCV antibody was related significantly to previous transfusion (13 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.03), tattoos (29 % vs. 13 %; p < 0.01), intravenous drug addiction (13 % vs. 0.2 %; p < 0.001) and coexistence with people with positive HCV antibody (16 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). In HBV no differences in basal characteristics were observed with exception in AST values (29 + or - 15 IU/L vs. 23 + or - 12 IU/L; p < 0.01). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was related significantly to previous transfusion (15 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.01), tattoos (26 % vs. 14 %; p = 0.04) and coexistence with people with positive HBsAg (17 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of serological markers in healthy working population is low. Risk factors for infection were previous transfusion and tattoos. Intravenous drug addiction was only a risk factor in HCV.
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Calleja-Panero
authors: Elba
authors: E
authors: Llop-Herrera
authors: Montserrat
authors: M
authors: Ruiz-Moraga
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: de-la-Revilla-Negro
authors: Eva
authors: E
authors: Calvo-Bonacho
authors: Fernando
authors: F
authors: Pons-Renedo
authors: José Luis
authors: JL
authors: Martínez-Porras
authors: Dolores
authors: D
authors: Vallejo-Gutiérrez
authors: Carmen
authors: C
authors: Arregui
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Abreu-García
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies