Seroprevalence of hepatitis C markers among intravenous drug users in western European countries: a systematic review

Abstract

Currently, the most important risk factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Europe is intravenous drug use. To establish a better insight into the epidemiology of hepatitis C among intravenous drug users (IVDUs) in western European countries a systematic review on the prevalence of hepatitis C markers and their determinants was performed. Reports were identified by searches on Medline and on the internet and by screening reference lists of selected papers. The prevalence rates of anti-HCV in western European IVDUs reported in the 66 studies selected for analysis, ranged between 37 and 98%. No relation was found between prevalence rates and mean age, mean duration of intravenous drug use, geographical area, setting of the study, method of recruitment or the year(s) of collection of samples. Eleven studies concerning the prevalence of HCV-RNA in hepatitis C-infected IVDUs were selected for analysis. Prevalence rates ranged from 26 to 86%. Based on five studies, a statistically significant positive linear relation was found between the mean age of study population and the prevalence of HCV-RNA. Our analysis revealed considerable variation in prevalence rates of hepatitis C markers among IVDUs in western Europe. We found no conclusive explanation for this variability. Further research investigating the dynamics of the hepatitis C epidemic in IVDUs is necessary.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and associated factors among male illicit drug users in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil

“…When this group was considered separately, HCV infection prevalence increased to 33%, which agrees with other reports that describe ranges from 37-98% (Stark et al 1995, Garfein et al 1996, Rodríguez et al 1998, Matheï et al 2002. Two multicentre studies (AJUDE-Brazil I and II) that assessed chronic blood-borne infections in intravenous drug users in cities from the Brazilian Southeast, Northeast and Southern Regions reported anti-HCV antibody prevalence ranging from 52-61% (Caiaffa et al 2006, Zocratto et al 2006.…”

“…The HCV infection prevalence of 6.4% among drug users might be considered low when compared with reports from other authors (Stark et al 1995, Rodríguez et al 1998, Matheï et al 2002; however, this appears to be related to the fact that only 15.3% of the study participants were intravenous drug users. When this group was considered separately, HCV infection prevalence increased to 33%, which agrees with other reports that describe ranges from 37-98% (Stark et al 1995, Garfein et al 1996, Rodríguez et al 1998, Matheï et al 2002.…”

Prevalence of hepatitis C in drug users in Flanders: determinants and geographic differences

“…A systematic review revealed a considerable variability of the prevalence of HCV in IDU within Western Europe with rates varying between 37 and 98 % [9].…”

Genetic variation of hepatitis C virus in a cohort of injection heroin users in Wuhan, China

“…While HCV infection through contaminated blood products decreased dramatically due to improved HCV screening tests, injection drug users (IDUs) became the primary source of new HCV infection (Alter, 1997;Alter, 1999;Thomas et al, 1994). IDUs comprise the largest risk group for HCV infection (Alter, 1999;Lauer and Walker, 2001;Mathei et al, 2002). Rates of HCV infection among past and current IDUs are extremely high *Corresponding Author: Wen-Zhe Ho, Dr. Wen-Zhe Ho,Division of Allergy & Immunology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 34th Street & Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, Phone: 1-215-590-4462, Fax: 1-215-590-2025, E-mail: ho@email.chop.edu.…”