Increasing newly diagnosed rate and changing risk factors of HCV in Yanbian Prefecture, a high endemic area in China.
BACKGROUND
The newly diagnosed rate of HCV infection is increasing in China. However, the risk factors have not been fully identified. Here, a survey was performed in Yanbian Prefecture, a high-endemic area in China.


METHODS
We identified newly diagnosed HCV infection in 2007-2011, using the local National Disease Supervision Information Management System from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. We determined the risk factors using a case-control survey by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Yanbian Prefecture had a rapid increase in the yearly newly diagnosed rate of HCV infection from 32.6 to 72.1/100.000 from the year 2007 to 2011. People aged 50-64 years had a high HCV infection of 43.4%, but only 0.3% of cases were reported in those aged less than 20 years. Cosmetic treatment, family history, blood transfusion, and dental treatment were independent risk factors for HCV infection. Unexpectedly, cosmetic treatments [odd ratio (OR) = 5.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.31-11.48, P = 0.00] and family history (OR = 4.68, 95% CI = 2.67-8.75, P = 0.00) showed a higher risk than the conventional risk factors of blood transfusion (OR = 4.49, 95% CI = 1.95-10.37, P = 0.001) and dental treatment (OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.42-6.25, P = 0.00). To further analyze the intrafamilial transmission, we found that spouses of HCV patients had an increased risk for acquiring HCV (OR = 5.75, 95% CI: 1.94-17.07), without significant association between either HCV RNA viral load (P = 0.29) or genotype (P = 0.43).


CONCLUSIONS
HCV infection was increased in Yanbian Prefecture. Cosmetic treatment was a higher risk factor than medical procedure. HCV infection had a clear family clustering phenomenon, especially between spouses.
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China ; Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.
Hong-Xin
HX
Piao
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Ai-Ting
AT
Yang
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Ya-Meng
YM
Sun
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Yuan-Yuan
YY
Kong
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Xiao-Ning
XN
Wu
Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.
Ying-Zhe
YZ
Zhang
Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, Yanji, Jilin, China.
Bo
B
Ding
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Bao-En
BE
Wang
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Ji-Dong
JD
Jia
Liver Research Center, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Hong
H
You
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005192:Family Health; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D018454:Spouses; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires