Journal article
S. Carvalhana, J. Leitão, A. Alves, M. Bourbon, H. Cortez‐Pinto
European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, vol. 28(6), 2016, pp. 640-644
European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, vol. 28(6), 2016, pp. 640-644
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APA
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Carvalhana, S., Leitão, J., Alves, A., Bourbon, M., & Cortez‐Pinto, H. (2016). Hepatitis B and C prevalence in Portugal: disparity between the general population and high-risk groups. European Journal of Gastroenterology &Amp; Hepatology, 28(6), 640–644. https://doi.org/10.1097/MEG.0000000000000608
Chicago/Turabian
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Carvalhana, S., J. Leitão, A. Alves, M. Bourbon, and H. Cortez‐Pinto. “Hepatitis B and C Prevalence in Portugal: Disparity between the General Population and High-Risk Groups.” European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology 28, no. 6 (2016): 640–644.
MLA
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Carvalhana, S., et al. “Hepatitis B and C Prevalence in Portugal: Disparity between the General Population and High-Risk Groups.” European Journal of Gastroenterology &Amp; Hepatology, vol. 28, no. 6, 2016, pp. 640–44, doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000000608.
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@article{s2016a,
title = {Hepatitis B and C prevalence in Portugal: disparity between the general population and high-risk groups},
year = {2016},
issue = {6},
journal = {European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology},
pages = {640-644},
volume = {28},
doi = {10.1097/MEG.0000000000000608},
author = {Carvalhana, S. and Leitão, J. and Alves, A. and Bourbon, M. and Cortez‐Pinto, H.}
}
Abstract
Background and aims The prevalence of anti-HCV and HBsAg in Portugal has been shown to be elevated in high-risk groups, such as intravenous drug-users and incarcerated individuals. However, in the general population, prevalence remains largely unknown. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of anti-HCV and HBsAg in the general Portuguese population and identify associated risk factors. Materials and methods We carried out a nationwide, population-based cross-sectional study of adults resident in mainland Portugal. Serology for HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HBs, and anti-HCV was performed. Anti-HCV-positive individuals were tested for HCV RNA by PCR. Results Of 1685 participants, 50.6% were men, mean age 50.2±18.3 years. In terms of hepatitis C, the prevalence of anti-HCV was 0.54% [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2–0.9] and 0.12% (95% CI: 0.0–0.3) were viremic, with peak prevalence among individuals 35–64 years of age (0.8%), men (0.8%), and individuals from Lisbon and Tagus Valley region (1.9%). In terms of hepatitis B, the estimated prevalence of HBsAg was 1.45% (95% CI: 0.9–2.0). A higher prevalence was found in individuals who were 35–64 years old (2.2%), in men (2.5%), and in the Northern region (2.6%). The presence of positive serological markers of hepatitis C virus and hepatitis B virus infection did not correlate with elevated aminotransferases, race, place of birth, and alcohol consumption. Conclusion These results suggest a low endemicity for both hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the general population, in contrast to a very high prevalence in risk groups, thus suggesting that targeted screening to high-risk groups may be more cost-effective than general population screening.
