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P5: Epidemiological study of prevalence and risk factors for HCV among apparently healthy Mongolians
Author(s) -
K Chudy-Onwugaje,
S Yakubov,
J Husney,
D Benasher,
C Obiagwu,
S Shamah,
K Teagle,
A Talasila,
I Mayer,
Y Tsirlin,
J Park,
R Rahmani,
N Dashdorj,
B Dashtseren,
B Bold,
D Yagaanbuyant
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of viral hepatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1365-2893
pISSN - 1352-0504
DOI - 10.1111/jvh.12333_4
Subject(s) - citation , epidemiology , medicine , hepatitis c , family medicine , library science , virology , computer science
BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major contributor to the burden of chronic liver disease in the US. It is estimated that about 2 million people are unaware of their infection and one-time screening for asymptomatic adults in the US born between 1945 and 1965 is recommended. However, it is unclear if this is appropriate for foreign-born persons who may have immigrated in adulthood and have different risk profiles compared to US-born persons. This study comparatively evaluated and analyzed HCV prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with infection in asymptomatic US-born versus foreignborn ‘baby boomers’. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively recruited patients born between January 1, 1945 and December 31, 1965 at our facilities and collected information on demographics and HCV risk factors. Subjects previously tested for HCV and those with known or suspected liver disease were excluded. Subjects were screened with antibody testing and where positive, HCV RNA followed. Chi-square and t-tests were used for analysis. Here, US-born excludes those born in Puerto Rico and US territories. RESULTS: A total of 434 subjects were enrolled. 61.5% (n = 267) were foreign-born and 58.3% (n = 253) were male. There were markedly higher rates of intravenous drug use and intranasal cocaine use (19.8% versus 3.7%; p < 0.001) in US-born subjects but HCV prevalence as determined by anti-HCV antibody positivity was significantly higher in the foreign-born group with 12 of 267 (4.5%) testing positive while only 2 of 167 (1.2%) US-born subjects were positive. By place of birth, foreign-born Hispanics had a significantly higher rate of anti-HCV antibody positivity (12.2% versus 0%; p = 0.02), with persons born in Puerto Rico markedly affected -16% tested positive. Of the 14 antibody-positives, 6 tested positive following confirmatory HCV RNA, 4 were negative and 4 were unavailable for testing. CONCLUSION: Foreign-born asymptomatic baby boomers have a much higher rate of HCV infection and yet do not significantly possess the risk factors associated with HCV acquisition in the US. This study highlights the need for aggressive screening and exploration of peculiar modes of transmission in immigrant groups. It also reinforces the need for studies in younger foreign-born cohorts to assess prevalence and potentially explore screening measures if appropriate. P5 Epidemiological study of prevalence and risk factors for HCV among apparently healthy Mongolians N Dashdorj, B Dashtseren, B Bold and D Yagaanbuyant Onom Foundation, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia