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[Risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection]
T Yabuuchi1, H Tsukuma, T Hiyama
1Department of Mass Survey, Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka.
Insights
Blood transfusions are a significant risk factor for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in patients with chronic liver disease. Unlike HCV, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection risk was linked to a mother
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Virology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) are major causes of chronic liver disease.
- Identifying risk factors is crucial for preventing HCV and HBV infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.
- To compare HCV risk factors with those of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 433 anti-HCV positive cases and 298 anti-HCV negative controls.
- Analysis of past medical histories, family liver disease history, and lifestyle factors.
- Multiple logistic regression analysis.
Main Results:
- HCV prevalence increased with age, while HBsAg (Hepatitis B surface antigen) decreased with age.
- History of blood transfusion significantly associated with HCV infection risk (Adjusted RR: 2.97).
- No association between family history of liver disease and HCV risk; maternal liver disease history linked to HBV risk (Adjusted RR: 2.96).
Conclusions:
- Blood transfusions are a key risk factor for HCV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis.
- HCV and HBV infections have distinct epidemiological risk profiles.
- Age and transfusion history are critical considerations for HCV prevention strategies.
Abstract:
In order to clarify the risk factors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, past medical histories, family histories of liver disease, and lifestyle factors (smoking and drinking habits) were compared between anti-HCV positive cases and anti-HCV negative controls. Studies were 433 anti-HCV positive cases and 298 negative controls, all of whom were out-patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis. The findings were contrasted with the risk factors of hepatitis B virus (HBV) chronic infection. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the following findings. Prevalence of anti-HCV among patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis increased with age, while prevalence of HBsAg decreased with age. Histories of blood transfusion were closely associated with the risk of HCV infection. Adjusted relative risk for patients with a history of blood transfusion was estimated to be 2.97 (95% confidence intervals: 1.88-4.71) in comparison with the risk for patients without it. Any family history of liver disease was not related with the risk of HCV infection, while mother's history of liver disease was significantly associated with the risk of chronic HBV infection (adjusted relative risk was 2.96 with 95% confidence intervals: 1.32-6.62).