HCV Screening in a Sicilian Centre: A Descriptive Cohort Profile

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection prevalence in Italy shows geographical variations and is influenced by direct-acting antiviral therapies (DAAs).
• Previous epidemiological studies on HCV prevalence are outdated, necessitating current data.
• The study addresses the need for updated HCV prevalence data in Sicily, considering the impact of DAAs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among inpatients and outpatients in a Sicilian hospital.
• To assess the proportion of active HCV infections within the screened population.
• To determine the uptake of DAA therapy among patients with active HCV infections.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based screening study was conducted at Buccheri La Ferla Hospital, Palermo, Sicily, from November 2019 to March 2022.
• Consecutive inpatients and outpatients were screened for anti-HCV antibodies using serological detection.
• HCV-RNA testing was performed on anti-HCV positive individuals to determine active infection status.

Main Results:

• Out of 15,550 patients, 469 (3%) tested positive for anti-HCV antibodies.
• Anti-HCV positivity increased with age, ranging from 0.4% in those under 40 to 6.4% in those over 80.
• Active HCV infection (HCV-RNA positive) was confirmed in 16.4% of anti-HCV positive patients, with 44.1% of these receiving DAA therapy.

Conclusions:

• HCV screening programs are valuable for identifying individuals at risk of liver disease progression and transmission.
• Implementing laboratory strategies like HCV reflex testing and dedicated linkage-to-care plans can enhance screening effectiveness.
• Focusing on higher-risk populations can further optimize HCV screening program outcomes.