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Prevalence of HCV Antibody and its Associated Factors: A Study from Sentinel Hospitals in China
Peng Xu1, Guo Wei Ding2, Xiao Chun Wang3
1National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China;Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, The First Hospital Affiliated with Shandong First Medical University, Jinan 250014, Shandong, China.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence in Chinese hospitals varies by region and department. Older patients and those in liver disease departments show higher prevalence, informing targeted screening strategies.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited data exists on Hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody prevalence and related factors across diverse Chinese regions and healthcare settings.
- Routine screening data offers a valuable resource for understanding HCV epidemiology within hospital populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HCV antibody among hospital patients in China.
- To evaluate the epidemic trends of Hepatitis C.
- To inform the development of effective HCV screening strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of routine screening data from 77 HCV sentinel hospitals in China (January 2017-December 2019).
- Utilized univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify characteristics and associations related to HCV antibody positivity.
Main Results:
- HCV antibody prevalence varied significantly by hospital department, ranging from 0.33% to 6.93%.
- Higher likelihood of HCV antibody positivity was observed in patients from liver disease-related departments, Internal Medicine, and Surgery.
- Prevalence was associated with older age (≥45 years), infectious disease hospitals, secondary hospitals, and sentinel hospitals in Northeast, Central, and Western China.
Conclusions:
- HCV antibody prevalence is geographically and demographically stratified within Chinese hospitals.
- Targeted screening for HCV antibody is recommended for individuals over 45, those with liver diseases, and those undergoing invasive procedures.
Objective:
The prevalence and related factors of serum anti-HCV in different regions and hospitals have not been studied extensively in China. We used routine screening data to determine the prevalence of HCV antibody in hospital patients, evaluate the epidemic trend of hepatitis C and formulate screening strategies.
Methods:
Patient information and HCV antibody testing results were collected from January 2017 to December 2019 in 77 HCV sentinel hospitals in China. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the characteristics and associations.
Results:
HCV antibody prevalence rates were distinct among patients in different departments, with a range of 0.33%-6.93%. Patients who were admitted to the liver disease-related departments (a OR = 10.76; 95% CI, 10.27-11.28), Internal Medicine (a OR = 2.87; 95% CI, 2.75-3.00), and Department of Surgery (a OR = 1.95; 95% CI, 1.87-2.04), were more likely to be tested for HCV antibody positive. HCV antibody prevalence was associated with patients aged 45 years and older (a OR = 2.74; 95% CI, 2.69-2.80), testing in infetious disease hospitals (a OR = 2.33; 95% CI, 2.26-2.40) and secondary hospitals (a OR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.69-1.75). Patients in sentinel hospitals of the Northeast (a OR = 12.75; 95% CI, 12.40-13.11), the Central (a OR = 1.65; 95% CI, 1.61-1.70), and the West (a OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.73-1.83) China had higher HCV prevalence than those who were in the Eastern coastal area.
Conclusion:
Those who were over 45 years old and saw doctors for liver diseases, and invasive diagnosis and treatment should be referred to HCV antibody testing.
