Revista Espanola de Enfermedades Digestivas (Jun 2013)

Prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) serological markers in healthy working population

  • José Luis Calleja-Panero,
  • Elba Llop-Herrera,
  • Montserrat Ruiz-Moraga,
  • Juan de la Revilla-Negro,
  • Eva Calvo-Bonacho,
  • Fernando Pons-Renedo,
  • José Luis Martínez-Porras,
  • Dolores Vallejo-Gutiérrez,
  • Carmen Arregui,
  • Luis Abreu-García

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4321/s1130-01082013000500002
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 105, no. 5
pp. 249 – 254

Abstract

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Introduction and objectives: prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) changes geographically. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers in healthy working population and to describe the epidemiological characteristics associated to its presence. Methods: blood samples and epidemiological data of 5,017 healthy workers from Murcia and Madrid were recorded prospectively. Results: a total of 5,017 healthy volunteers participated. Mean age 39 ± 11 years, men predominance (73 %). Prevalence of serological markers of HCV and HBV was 0.6 % and 0.7 %. Age of patients with HCV antibody was significantly higher (43 ± 9 years vs. 39 ± 11 years; p = 0.03). We observed significant differences in liver test values (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 64 ± 56 IU/L vs. 28 ± 20 IU/L; p < 0.001; aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (51 ± 45 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) value (104 ± 122 IU/L vs. 37 ± 46 IU/L; p < 0.001. The presence of HCV antibody was related significantly to previous transfusion (13 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.03), tattoos (29 % vs. 13 %; p < 0.01), intravenous drug addiction (13 % vs. 0.2 %; p < 0.001) and coexistence with people with positive HCV antibody (16 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). In HBV no differences in basal characteristics were observed with exception in AST values (29 ± 15 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.01). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was related significantly to previous transfusion (15 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.01), tattoos (26 % vs. 14 %; p = 0.04) and coexistence with people with positive HBsAg (17 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). Conclusions: prevalence of serological markers in healthy working population is low. Risk factors for infection were previous transfusion and tattoos. Intravenous drug addiction was only a risk factor in HCV.

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