scholarly journals Hepatitis C virus in Mexican Americans: a population-based study reveals relatively high prevalence and negative association with diabetes

2015 ◽  
Vol 144 (2) ◽  
pp. 297-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. WATT ◽  
K. P. VATCHEVA ◽  
L. BERETTA ◽  
J. J. PAN ◽  
M. B. FALLON ◽  
...  

SUMMARYThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Mexican Americans living in South Texas. We tested plasma for the presence of HCV antibody from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), a randomized, population-based cohort in an economically disadvantaged Mexican American community on the United States/Mexico border with high rates of chronic disease. A weighted prevalence of HCV antibody of 2·3% [n = 1131, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·2–3·4] was found. Participants with diabetes had low rates of HCV antibody (0·4%, 95% CI 0·0–0·9) and logistic regression revealed a statistically significant negative association between HCV and diabetes (OR 0·20, 95% CI 0·05–0·77) after adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical factors. This conflicts with reported positive associations of diabetes and HCV infection. No classic risk factors were identified, but important differences between genders emerged in analysis. This population-based study of HCV in Mexican Americans suggests that national studies do not adequately describe the epidemiology of HCV in this border community and that unique risk factors may be involved.

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 651
Author(s):  
Laura Huiban ◽  
Carol Stanciu ◽  
Cristina Maria Muzica ◽  
Tudor Cuciureanu ◽  
Stefan Chiriac ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The World Health Organization adopted a strategy for the Global Health Sector on Viral Hepatitis in 2016, with the main objective of eliminating hepatitis C virus (HCV) by 2030. In this work, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection and risk factors in a Romanian village using population-based screening as part of the global C virus eradication program. (2) Methods: We conducted a prospective study from March 2019 to February 2020, based on a strategy as part of a project designed to educate, screen, treat and eliminate HCV infection in all adults in a village located in Northeastern Romania. (3) Results: In total, 3507 subjects were invited to be screened by rapid diagnostic orientation tests (RDOT). Overall, 2945 (84%) subjects were tested, out of whom 78 (2.64%) were found to have positive HCV antibodies and were scheduled for further evaluation in a tertiary center of gastroenterology/hepatology in order to be linked to care. In total, 66 (85%) subjects presented for evaluation and 55 (83%) had detectable HCV RNA. Of these, 54 (98%) completed antiviral treatment and 53 (99%) obtained a sustained virological response. (4) Conclusions: The elimination of hepatitis C worldwide has a higher chance of success if micro-elimination strategies based on mass screening are adopted.


2021 ◽  
pp. 003335492110472
Author(s):  
Hope King ◽  
J. E. Soh ◽  
William W. Thompson ◽  
Jessica Rogers Brown ◽  
Karina Rapposelli ◽  
...  

Objective Approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of our study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, liver disease–related risk factors, and modifiable health behaviors associated with self-reported testing for HCV infection among adults. Methods Using data on adult respondents aged ≥18 from the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey, we summarized descriptive data on sociodemographic characteristics and liver disease–related risk factors and stratified data by educational attainment. We used weighted logistic regression to examine predictors of HCV testing. Results During the study period, 11.7% (95% CI, 11.5%-12.0%) of adults reported ever being tested for HCV infection. Testing was higher in 2017 than in 2013 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18-1.36). Adults with ≥some college were significantly more likely to report being tested (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.52-1.69) than adults with ≤high school education. Among adults with ≤high school education (but not adults with ≥some college), those who did not have health insurance were less likely than those with private health insurance (aOR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.89) to get tested, and non–US-born adults were less likely than US-born adults to get tested (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87). Conclusions Rates of self-reported HCV testing increased from 2013 to 2017, but testing rates remained low. Demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and liver disease–related risk factors may affect HCV testing rates among adults. HCV testing must increase to achieve hepatitis C elimination targets.


2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Zamani ◽  
Masoudreza Sohrabi ◽  
Hossein Poustchi ◽  
Hossein Keyvani ◽  
Fatemeh Sima Saeedian ◽  
...  

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. e0196301 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rujipat Wasitthankasem ◽  
Preeyaporn Vichaiwattana ◽  
Nipaporn Siripon ◽  
Nawarat Posuwan ◽  
Chompoonut Auphimai ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (06) ◽  
pp. 20251-20256
Author(s):  
Mudassir Khan ◽  
Shahrukh Khan ◽  
Shohra Haider ◽  
Fazal Jalil ◽  
Muhsin Jamal ◽  
...  

Background: Prevalence of Hepatitis C viral infection and its major risk factors has been found out in population of Batkhela, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan by taking number of volunteers from the interested area. HCV prevalence has not been researched in recent time here in this area, so that’s why we contributed. Materials and Methods: Ab rapid test cassette serum/plasma (USA) kit has been used for the mentioned purpose following by ELISA and finally PCR to find out active infection of virus. ICT positive individuals were reconfirmed by ELISA and then ELISA positive samples were carefully investigated by RT-PCR for Hepatitis C Virus. Results: The study population was of 770 volunteers belonging to the mentioned area of research, 453 males and 317 females. The overall prevalence was found to be 5.32% of HCV in Batkhela. This prevalence ratio was 3.12% in males and 2.20 % in females. 3rd generation ELISA was used to refine ICT positive samples which showed that 37 of the ICT positive samples had antibodies detected by ELISA. To find out active HCV infection, ELISA positive samples were refined by real time PCR which showed 2.98% of prevalence of active HCV infection in Batkhela based on HCV RNA in their blood. Principle Conclusion: Overall prevalence was found 5.32%, contaminated reused syringes and blades at Barbour’s shop, blood transfusion, surgical operations and unhygienic food in stalls etc were found significant risk factors for acquiring HCV infection. Body weakness and pale yellow skin color was common symptom in HCV positive volunteers. Safe sexual activities, blood screening before donation and sterilizing surgical equipment’s can protect us from Hepatitis C Virus.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S561-S562
Author(s):  
Jehan F Chowdhury ◽  
Anna Winston ◽  
Tanya Zeina ◽  
Hong Gi Shim ◽  
Tine Vindenes

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of advanced liver disease and death. In the United States about 3.5 million people are living with HCV, but only 50% are aware of the infection, 16% are prescribed treatment, and only 9% achieve sustained viral response. The World Health Organization published an HCV elimination goal for 2030 that strives to achieve a 65% reduction in HCV-related deaths and 90% reduction in transmission. An important step toward this goal is micro-elimination at local hospitals by addressing care gaps in the HCV care cascade. Figure 1 Methods We created a retrospective cohort of patients who tested positive for HCV antibody (HCV Ab+) between 2016 and 2018 at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. We assessed achievement of care cascade steps including HCV viral load (VL) testing, linkage to care, treatment initiation, and sustained viral response (SVR). We also assessed patient demographics, clinical factors and HCV risk factors. We used STATA/IC 14.1 to conduct bivariate analysis to identify factors associated with loss to follow-up across each care cascade step. Results A total of 24,308 HCV antibody tests were done during this timeframe, of which 5% (n=1,222) were HCV Ab+. After excluding duplicate tests, 1,041 unique patients with HCV Ab+ were included. This cohort had a mean age of 47 years and were 61% male, 66% white, 72% on public insurance, 12% HIV-positive, 13% HCV treatment-experienced. The most frequent HCV risk factor was injection drug use, occurring in 64% of patients. Of patients with HCV Ab+, 76% (n=791) were tested for an HCV VL, of which 50% (n=393) had detectable VL and 50% (n=398) had undetectable VL. Of the patients with a detectable VL, 58% (n=226) were linked with care. Following care linkage, 69% (n=155) initiated treatment, of which 90% (n=139) completed treatment, of which 97% (n=135) achieved SVR (Figure 1). Factors that were significantly associated with getting a VL test and linking to care included private insurance, HIV co-infection, absence of intravenous drug use and cirrhosis; however, these factors were not significantly associated with achieving subsequent steps. Conclusion Assessment of the HCV care cascade at our hospital allowed us to identify clear care gaps and areas needing improvement towards a local micro-elimination. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


Author(s):  
Maria Alice S. Zarife ◽  
Luciano K. Silva ◽  
Maria Betânia S. Silva ◽  
Gisele B. Lopes ◽  
Maurício L. Barreto ◽  
...  

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