Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in the Colombian Caribbean coast: A case-control study.
BIOMEDICA 2016;
36:564-571. [PMID:
27992983 DOI:
10.7705/biomedica.v36i4.3105]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
An estimated 6.8-8.9 million people are infected with hepatitis C virus in Latin America, of which less than 1% receives antiviral treatment. Studies so far in Colombia have attempted to determine the prevalence of the disease in some risk groups, thus preventing the identification of other factors potentially involved in the spread of the infection.
OBJECTIVES
To identify traditional and non-traditional risk factors for chronic hepatitis C in the Colombian Caribbean coast.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a case-control study (1:3) matched by health care provider and age (± 10 years) conducted at the primary care level of gastroenterology and hepatology outpatient services. All patients with a positive ELISA underwent a confirmatory viral load test. A multivariate logistic regression analysis identified the independent predictors of infection.
RESULTS
Blood transfusion (OR=159.2; 95% CI: 35.4-715; p<0.001) and history of hospitalization before 1994 (OR=4.7; 95% CI: 1.3-17.1; p=0.018) were identified as the only two independent predictors of infection.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to check the reproducibility of these results and to conduct cost-effectiveness studies before recommending their use in the design of new screening strategies.
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