Kevin J Moore1, Aliyah Gauri1, Tulay Koru-Sengul2. 1. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. 2. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA. Electronic address: tsengul@med.miami.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The US Baby Boomer (BB) generation is associated with high rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There is limited literature detailing age-specific risk factors for HCV infection. Using a nationally representative sample, this study examines US adult HCV prevalence and age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. METHODS: We analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 1999-2012. Age was divided into three categories: BB, younger than BB (YG) and older than BB (OG). HCV status was determined by the presence of a positive HCV antibody and a positive HCV RNA. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed by HCV status. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic variables were fitted to identify age-specific risk factors for HCV positivity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of chronic HCV was 1.19% with a US population estimate of 2,347,852 US adults. BB had the highest prevalence at 2.23%, accounting for over 74% of all chronic HCV cases. HCV prevalence was highest among all ages (1.83%) and BB (2.71%) in 2001-2002 survey cycle. Among BB, males, non-Hispanic blacks, positive blood transfusion history, current and former smoker, and living below the poverty line were significant predictors of chronic HCV positivity. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the elevated prevalence of chronic HCV among BB and identifies age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. As the BB population ages, it is important to use these generation-specific risk factors that can guide health professionals in targeted screening and public health prevention efforts.
BACKGROUND: The US Baby Boomer (BB) generation is associated with high rates of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. There is limited literature detailing age-specific risk factors for HCV infection. Using a nationally representative sample, this study examines US adult HCV prevalence and age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. METHODS: We analyzed data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for years 1999-2012. Age was divided into three categories: BB, younger than BB (YG) and older than BB (OG). HCV status was determined by the presence of a positive HCV antibody and a positive HCV RNA. Sociodemographic variables were analyzed by HCV status. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic variables were fitted to identify age-specific risk factors for HCV positivity. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of chronic HCV was 1.19% with a US population estimate of 2,347,852 US adults. BB had the highest prevalence at 2.23%, accounting for over 74% of all chronic HCV cases. HCV prevalence was highest among all ages (1.83%) and BB (2.71%) in 2001-2002 survey cycle. Among BB, males, non-Hispanic blacks, positive blood transfusion history, current and former smoker, and living below the poverty line were significant predictors of chronic HCV positivity. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the elevated prevalence of chronic HCV among BB and identifies age-specific risk factors for chronic HCV infection. As the BB population ages, it is important to use these generation-specific risk factors that can guide health professionals in targeted screening and public health prevention efforts.
Authors: Christopher J Hernandez; Dillon Trujillo; Sofia Sicro; Joaquin Meza; Mackie Bella; Emperatriz Daza; Francisco Torres; Willi McFarland; Caitlin M Turner; Erin C Wilson Journal: PLoS One Date: 2021-03-30 Impact factor: 3.240