PCR Prevalence and Risk Factors of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in the Adult Population of Ulsan

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Liver disease is an important public health problem in Korea. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody(anti-HCV) in the adult population of Ulsan and to identify risk factors for HCV infection by case centre study. METHODS: The anti-HCV test was performed in 10,140 adults older than 20 years of age who underwent a general medical checkup in Ulsan University Hospital, Health Promotior Center from January 1997 to November 1997. 33 cases and 99 controls matched for age and sex with a 1 3 ratio of cases to controls were enrolled. The cases were defined as positive anti-HCV and positive HCV-RNA whereas the controls were negative anti-HCV negative HBsAg and ALT < OR = 40. Exposure data were obtained by self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.3%(95% CI 1.1-1.5) and the positive predictive value of 3rd generation anti-HCV ELISA was 34%. Thus, true prevalence of HCV infection was 0.45%. Only history of transfusion was significantly associated with anti-HCV infection. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 1.3% and true prevalence of HCV infection was 0.45% in the adult population of Ulsan. Transfusion was the major route of transmission of HCV but the risk will likely reduce.