title: Trends in HCV RNA testing among HCV antibody-positive persons in care, 2003-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is essential to identify persons with active, or current, HCV infection. We assessed trends in HCV RNA testing following a positive HCV antibody result among persons in 4 large healthcare organizations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collected from adults with ≥2 clinical encounters during 2003-2010 were analyzed to determine the frequency of, interval between, and factors associated with having an RNA test after a first positive HCV antibody test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 2003-2010, 5860 persons had a positive antibody test, of whom 3570 (60.9%) had a follow-up RNA test. During this period, the annual frequency of persons with an eventual RNA test did not change significantly; however, the fraction of persons who had the follow-up RNA test within 6 months improved significantly, from 45% in 2003 to 57% in 2010 (P < .001, for trend). Persons born during 1945-1965, men, and those with annual income <$30 000 (by census geocode) were less likely to have had a follow-up RNA test done within 6 months of a positive antibody test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Less than two-thirds of persons with a positive HCV antibody test had a follow-up RNA test. Rapid ascertainment of HCV infection status with reflex testing to RNA is critical to identify persons eligible for treatment.
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Spradling
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Loralee B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Rupp
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Moorman
authors.affiliation: Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Eyasu H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Teshale
authors.affiliation: Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.
authors.forename: Stuart C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente, Honolulu, Hawaii.
authors.forename: Vinutha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vijayadeva
authors.affiliation: Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Boscarino
authors.affiliation: Kaiser Permanente Northwest, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Hepatitis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Holmberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies; D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: diagnosis; hepatitis C virus; infection; testing