title: Prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies in the population aged 16-80 years in the Community of Madrid 2008-2009.
abstract: Together with AIDS, the burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Spain heads the list of communicable diseases in terms of impact on public health. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HCV antibodies in the Community of Madrid, assess changes in recent years and analyse associated risk factors. Descriptive cross-sectional study of a target population consisting of Community of Madrid residents aged 16-80 years old. Two-stage cluster sampling was performed, with stratification by socioeconomic status and percentage immigrant population. The sampling frame consisted of public blood extraction centers attached to the Madrid Health Service. Seroprevalence of HCV antibodies, prevalence ratios by age groups in comparison with 1999 survey data and prevalence association with risk factors were assessed using a logistic regression model. Prevalence of HCV antibodies for the age group 16-80 years was 1.8% (95% CI: 1.3-2.5). The age group with the highest prevalence was 41-60 years. In comparison with the 1999 survey, prevalence fell for the age groups 21-30 and 31-40 years and increased for the age group 41-60. Statistically significant associations were found for age, education, history of hepatitis C and consultation regarding liver problems. Seroprevalence of HCV antibodies in the Community of Madrid is similar to that shown in other regions of Spain. It is increasing in older age groups as the population at risk ages. Incidence of hepatitis C may be decreasing considering the decrease in the seroprevalence in the population younger than 40 related to the previous serosurvey.
authors.affiliation: Subdirectorate of Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Department of the Community of Madrid (institution at which the work was performed), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García Comas
authors.affiliation: Subdirectorate of Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Department of the Community of Madrid (institution at which the work was performed), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ordobás Gavín
authors.affiliation: Health Department of the Community of Madrid, Regional Public Health Laboratory, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Sanz Moreno
authors.affiliation: Health Department of the Community of Madrid, Regional Public Health Laboratory, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ramos Blázquez
authors.affiliation: Subdirectorate of Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Department of the Community of Madrid (institution at which the work was performed), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Angeles
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Subdirectorate of Health Promotion and Prevention, Health Department of the Community of Madrid (institution at which the work was performed), Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jenaro
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Astray Mochales
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Department, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Community of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Santiago
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moreno Guillén
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018937:Hepatitis C Antibodies
keywords: Epidemiology; Hepatitis C; Seroprevalence; Serosurvey