Prevalence of HCV in people hospitalized for COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction: In our country, the percentage of subjects infected with HCV is about 2% of the general population, with a gradient that increases from the North to the South and the islands. The decline in hepatitis C treatments is sensationally evident. The WHO had set the goal of its elimination by 2030, a result made achievable thanks to the new direct-acting antiviral drugs (DAA), which allow the virus to be eradicated in definitively, quickly and without side effects. The pandemic has slowed both screening and treatment. Purpose of the study Evaluate the prevalence of subjects positive for hepatitis C antigen (HCV +) in all hospitalized for Covid-19. Materials and Methods: 839 subjects admitted to the Covid Unit of the F. Miulli Hospital in Acquaviva delle Fonti were retrospectively assessed. Results: The prevalence of HCV+subjects was 4.7%. No statistically significant differences were found when comparing the main laboratory tests. No difference emerged regarding the outcomes (length of hospitalization and death) which are similar in the two groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of HCV+subjects in the Covid-19 population is double that of the general population. A project is underway in our hospital which provides for the screening of all over 50 year olds hospitalized in order to bring out HCV+subjects and direct them to an outpatient diagnostic confirmation path and any specific eradicating therapy.