Predicting factors of present hepatitis C virus infection among patients positive for the hepatitis C virus antibody.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the predicting factors of present hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among patients with positivity for antibodies to HCV (anti-HCV).


METHODS
We analyzed patients who showed positive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results and performed an HCV RNA test as a confirmatory test at Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong from June 2006 to July 2012. The features distinguishing the groups with positive and negative HCV RNA results were reviewed.


RESULTS
In total, 490 patients were included. The results of the HCV RNA test were positive and negative in 228 and 262 patients, respectively. The index value of anti-HCV, mean age, platelet counts, total bilirubin, prothrombin time international normalized ratio, albumin and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels differed significantly between the two groups. On multivariable analysis, an index value of anti-HCV >10 [odds ratio (OR)=397.27, P<0.001), ALT >40 IU/L (OR=3.64, P=0.001), and albumin <3.8 g/dL (OR=2.66, P=0.014) were related to present HCV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Although EIA is not a quantitative test, considering the anti-HCV titer with ALT and albumin levels may be helpful in predicting present of HCV infection.
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Chi Hoon
CH
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun Phil
HP
Shin
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Joung Il
JI
Lee
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Kwang Ro
KR
Joo
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Jae Myung
JM
Cha
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Jung Won
JW
Jeon
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Jun Uk
JU
Lim
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Joon Ki
JK
Min
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Dong Hee
DH
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Sung Wook
SW
Kang
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong, College of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Hyun Jun
HJ
Joung
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D016174:Hepacivirus / Q000235:genetics; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010976:Platelet Count; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis
D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D001663:Bilirubin
Diagnosis; Hepatitis C; Hepatitis C Antibodies; Immunoassay