Community‐based seroepidemiological survey of HCV infection in Catalonia, Spain

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against the hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) and the associated risk factors in a representative sample of the population of Catalonia, Spain. Serum samples from 2,142 subjects aged between 5 and 70 years, selected at random from urban and rural habitats, were studied. Multiple logistic regression analysis was carried out to determine variables associated independently with the presence of HCV antibodies. The age and gender standardized prevalence of anti-HCV was 2.5% (95% confidence interval, 1.8-3.2). Prevalence increased significantly with age (P < 0.001), but no other sociodemographic variables were associated with HCV infection. Tattoos (OR: 6.2), blood transfusions (OR: 5.0) intravenous drug use (OR: 4.9) and antecedents of hospitalization (OR: 2.3) were variables associated independently with infection. HCV infection affects mainly elderly people in Spain and spares children and adolescents. This suggests that major exposure to HCV may have occurred many years ago, when infection was more widespread than in recent years.

Prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) serological markers in healthy working population

“…In our samples, the prevalence of HCV serology was 0.6 %, a significantly lower figure in comparison to previous published studies (8)(9)(10)(11)(13)(14)(15)(16). We think that this figure is more in line with the current prevalence situation and that it has been affected by a rise of mortality from HCV that has been increasing since the 90s and by a fall of acute hepatitis proportion.…”

“…In our study, a statistically significant relation between age and anti-HCV presence was confirmed in accordance to previous studies (12)(13)(14). Positive anti-HCV patients have also shown a liver test and GGT values significantly higher.…”

“…Finally, regarding the ways of transmission of HCV and HBV infections, previous studies results are confirmed (12,13,23,25,26). In the case of anti-HCV transfusion, tattoos and intravenous drug addiction; and in the case of HBsAg previous transfusion and tattoos are significantly related to the prevalence increase of serological markers.…”

“…In one of the epidemiological studies on HCV chronic hepatitis done in Spain was shown that hospital admission, dental procedures and previous surgery were the most frequent risk factors (12). In a similar study it was proved that tattoos, blood transfusions, intravenous drug addiction and precedent hospital stay were variables associated regardless of the infection (13). In the case of HBV, the most frequent causes are through perinatal and sexual transmission (25,26).…”

“…Prevalence was higher in individuals older than 50 years (12). In 2001, two more studies published a prevalence of 2.5 and 1.6 respectively (13,14). More recent studies, only on pregnant women, showed a lower prevalence, although it is a selected population (15)(16)(17).…”