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Risk factor analysis of patients with chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Taiwan is mainly transmitted through blood transfusions and non-disposable needles. Lower education levels also increase the risk of HCV transmission.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Parenteral transmission is the primary route for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection.
- A significant portion of chronic HCV cases lack identifiable risk factors, necessitating further investigation.
- This study aimed to identify potential risk factors for HCV transmission among chronic HCV patients in Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and identify significant risk factors associated with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) transmission in Taiwan.
- To compare the prevalence of potential risk factors between chronic HCV patients and healthy individuals.
- To inform public health strategies for HCV prevention and control.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 161 chronic HCV patients and 161 matched healthy controls.
- Data collection through questionnaires and interviews covering various potential risk factors.
- Statistical analysis including univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify significant risk factors.
Main Results:
- Chronic HCV patients exhibited significantly higher rates of blood transfusion history, frequent non-disposable needle use, and lower education status compared to controls.
- Blood transfusion, frequent non-disposable needle injections, and low education were identified as significant risk factors for HCV infection.
- Multivariate analysis confirmed these factors as independent predictors of HCV infection in the study population.
Conclusions:
- Parenteral transmission via blood transfusion and frequent use of non-disposable needles are key routes for HCV infection in Taiwan.
- Lower educational attainment is associated with an increased risk of HCV transmission.
- Recommendations include rigorous HCV screening of blood products, promoting disposable needle use, and implementing public health education campaigns.
Background:
Parenteral transmission is the major route for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, in western countries, 40% of patients with chronic hepatitis C have no apparent risk factor of HCV infection. This study was designed to investigate the possible risk factors of HCV transmission in chronic hepatitis C patients in Taiwan.
Methods:
One hundred and sixty-one consecutive patients with chronic hepatitis C and 161 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects were enrolled. Risk factors, including blood transfusion, injection with nondisposable needles, education status, surgery, dental procedure, tattooing, ear-piercing, sexual behavior and alcoholism, were obtained in every patient through questionnairing and interviewing.
Results:
Patients with chronic hepatitis C, compared with healthy controls, had significantly higher rates of previous history of blood transfusion, frequent nondisposable needle injections, and lower education status (43.5% vs. 10.6%, 19.9% vs. 6.2%, 42.2% vs. 23.0%, respectively, all p < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed blood transfusion, frequent nondisposable needle injections and low education as significant risk factors of HCV infection (all p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis again revealed them all to be independent significant risk factors associated with HCV infection in chronic hepatitis C patients.
Conclusions:
Parenteral transmission of HCV via transfusion and frequent nondisposable needle injections were the main routes of contracting HCV infection in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Taiwan. Also, people with low education ran the higher risk of transmission by HCV. Meticulous screening of the transfused blood for HCV, usage of disposable needles, and mass public education are important in our efforts to decrease chronic HCV infection in Taiwan.