[Prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C virus infection in patients on hemodialysis: results of a Moroccan study]. / Prévalence et facteurs de risque de l'hépatite virale C en hémodialyse : résultats d'une étude marocaine.

INTRODUCTION: Infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of chronic hepatitis in patients on hemodialysis. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of infection with this virus and its main risk factors among chronic hemodialysis patients treated at the Mohammed V military teaching hospital in Rabat, Morocco. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of 141 patients with chronic end-stage kidney disease receiving hemodialysis between April 2010 and September 2012, including testing for anti-HCV antibodies and HCV RNA. RESULTS: The prevalence of HCV assessed by PCR in chronic hemodialysis patients treated at our hospital was 12.1%. Risk factors associated with this prevalence included duration of hemodialysis and transfusions. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HCV among patients receiving hemodialysis in Morocco is gradually declining and the most important risk factors (transfusions and duration of hemodialysis) are becoming progressively less important.