Hepatitis-c prevalence in an urban native-american clinic : A prospective screening study

• Published in: Journal of the National Medical Association Vol. 99; no. 4; pp. 389 - 392
• Main Authors: NEUMEISTER, Amy S, PILCHER, Lavada E, ERICKSON, Judi M, LANGLEY, Lora L, MURPHY, Mary M, HAUKAAS, Nicole M, MAILLIARD, Mark E, LARSEN, Jennifer L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ Slack 01-04-2007; Elsevier Limited; National Medical Association
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Female; General aspects; Hepatitis C Antibodies; Hepatitis C, Chronic - ethnology; Hepatitis C, Chronic - etiology; Hepatitis C, Chronic - prevention & control; Hospitals, Urban - utilization; Human viral diseases; Humans; Indians, North American - statistics & numerical data; Infectious diseases; Male; Mass Screening; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nebraska - epidemiology; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Substance Abuse, Intravenous - complications; Tattooing; United States - epidemiology; United States Indian Health Service; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Viral diseases; Viral hepatitis; United States; Nebraska; Amerindian; Urban environment; Prevalence; Mongoloid; Hepatic disease; Urban area; Medical screening; hepatitis; Epidemiology; Infection; Clinic; Prospective; Viral disease; Digestive diseases; Tropical medicine; Native Americans; Viral hepatitis C
• ISSN: 0027-9684; 1943-4693

Native-American populations are disproportionately burdened by chronic liver disease, and the prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) in native Americans is unknown.
To determine the prevalence of hepatitis C in a local native-American population via a prospective screening study.
Two-hundred-forty-three native Americans (161 females/82 males) using an urban clinic and representing > 30 tribes from across the United States were screened. Mean age was 41 +/- 1 years. Hepatitis-C screening was by anti-HCV with confirmation by HCV RNA. A questionnaire assessed potential risk factors for HCV.
Anti-HCV antibodies were found in 11.5% (95% CI: 7.5-15.5%). HCV RNA was present by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in 8.6% (95% CI: 5.1-12.1%) and was more common in males [13.4% (95% CI: 6.0-20.8%)] than females [6.2% (95% CI: 2.5-9.9%)]. The most common potential risk factors for chronic HCV infection were intravenous (IV) drug or cocaine use (p < 0.0001), tattoos > 5 years old (p < 0.0001) and having a sexual partner with HCV (p = 0.0063).
HCV prevalence is higher in an urban native-American clinic population than reported in the general U.S. population. Use of IV drugs is the most prevalent risk factor, but tattoos and sexual transmission may also be important.