title: Are RA patients from a non-endemic HCV population screened for HCV? A cross-sectional analysis of three different settings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Mexico, other risk factors are associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV): prior heroin users, living alone, widower, and northern region residence. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients are considered immunosuppressed and HCV testing is recommended before treatment. The aim of the study was to describe the characteristics of HCV testing in RA patients in three different medical care settings in a non-endemic area.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective observational study was performed using medical records from 960 RA patients describing the indications for HCV testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The test was performed in 28.6% and the HCV overall frequency was 0.36%. Population characteristics were not associated with an increased risk of HCV infection; therefore, anti-HCV positivity was low. The main reason for testing was before starting biological agents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Due to the low pre-test probability, testing for HCV infection should be personalized; i.e., according to disease prevalence in a particular geographical location and the individual risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico.
authors.forename: Cassandra Michelle
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Skinner-Taylor
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erhard-Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico.
authors.forename: Mario Alberto
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Garza-Elizondo
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico. Electronic address: jesquive@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jorge Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Esquivel-Valerio
authors.affiliation: Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto", y Facultad de Medicina Universidad Autónoma de San Luis, Potosí, Mexico.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Abud-Mendoza
authors.affiliation: Hospital Central "Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto", y Facultad de Medicina Universidad Autónoma de San Luis, Potosí, Mexico.
authors.forename: Marco Ulises
authors.initials: MU
authors.lastname: Martínez-Martínez
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico; Hospital General de Zona No. 17, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vega-Morales
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Reumatología, Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario "Dr. José Eleuterio González", Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Mexico.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arana-Guajardo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents
keywords: Artritis reumatoide; Factores de riesgo; Hepatitis C virus; Prueba de laboratorio; Rheumatoid arthritis; Risk factors; Testing; Virus de hepatitis C