Francisco Javier García-Alonso1, Daniel Bonillo-Cambrodón2, Andrea Bermejo3, Jesús García-Martínez4, María Hernández-Tejero3, Paz Valer López Fando3, Belén Piqueras3, Fernando Bermejo3. 1. Gastroenterology Department, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Fuenlabrada, Spain. Electronic address: fj.garcia.alonso@gmail.com. 2. Gastroenterology Department, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Fuenlabrada, Spain; Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain. 3. Gastroenterology Department, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Fuenlabrada, Spain. 4. Microbiology Area - Laboratory Medicine Department, Fuenlabrada University Hospital, Fuenlabrada, Spain.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The US Centers for Disease Control recommends hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening for baby boomers. Spain presents a similar distribution of infected patients. We performed a cross sectional prospective study to evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed HCV infection in subjects born between 1949 and 1974. METHODS: All out-patients within the age range, both symptomatic and screening procedures, undergoing colonoscopy between December 2014 and June 2015 were offered a HCV antibody blood test and a survey including risk factors for HCV infection and attitude toward HCV screening. Patients with chronic HCV or with a previous negative HCV antibody test were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 570 subjects, 50% screening procedures, were analyzed. The median age was 55.7, 94.6% were born in Spain and 54.6% were women. Antibodies against HCV were found in 1.6% (95% CI: 0.8-3%) and HCV-RNA in 0.4% (0.1-1.3%). We found no statistically significant differences regarding HCV prevalence, risk factors or socioeconomic characteristics between subjects undergoing colorectal cancer screening and symptomatic subjects. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic and screening subjects undergoing colonoscopy support HCV screening and present a similar HCV risk profile. Results suggest linking colorectal and HCV screening would yield good results.
INTRODUCTION: The US Centers for Disease Control recommends hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening for baby boomers. Spain presents a similar distribution of infectedpatients. We performed a cross sectional prospective study to evaluate the prevalence of undiagnosed HCV infection in subjects born between 1949 and 1974. METHODS: All out-patients within the age range, both symptomatic and screening procedures, undergoing colonoscopy between December 2014 and June 2015 were offered a HCV antibody blood test and a survey including risk factors for HCV infection and attitude toward HCV screening. Patients with chronic HCV or with a previous negative HCV antibody test were excluded. RESULTS: A total of 570 subjects, 50% screening procedures, were analyzed. The median age was 55.7, 94.6% were born in Spain and 54.6% were women. Antibodies against HCV were found in 1.6% (95% CI: 0.8-3%) and HCV-RNA in 0.4% (0.1-1.3%). We found no statistically significant differences regarding HCV prevalence, risk factors or socioeconomic characteristics between subjects undergoing colorectal cancer screening and symptomatic subjects. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic and screening subjects undergoing colonoscopy support HCV screening and present a similar HCV risk profile. Results suggest linking colorectal and HCV screening would yield good results.