An evaluation of a pilot of daily testing of SARS-CoV-2 contacts in acute hospital and ambulance trusts in England.

OBJECTIVES: Healthcare worker (HCW) SARS-CoV-2 contacts in England have been required to quarantine, creating staff shortages. We piloted daily contact testing (DCT) to assess its feasibility as an alternative. STUDY DESIGN: Observational service evaluation. METHODS: We conducted an observational service evaluation of 7-day DCT using antigen lateral flow devices (LFDs) at four acute hospital trusts and one ambulance trust in England. Mixed methods were used, using aggregate and individual-level test monitoring data, semi-structured interviews, and a survey of eligible contacts. RESULTS: In total, 138 HCWs were identified as contacts of a confirmed SARS-CoV-2 case. Of these, 111 (80%) consented to daily LFD testing, of whom 82 (74%) completed the required programme without interruption and 12 (11%) completed with interruption. Fifty-eight participants (52%) and two non-participants (7.4%) completed the survey. In total, 28 interviews were conducted with participants, site and infection control leads, and union representatives. One participant tested positive on LFD and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Three participants tested positive on PCR but not LFD. DCT was well-accepted by trusts and staff. Participants reported no relaxation of their infection prevention and control behaviours. No incidents of transmission were detected. An estimated 729 potential days of work absence were averted. CONCLUSIONS: DCT can be acceptably operated in a healthcare setting, averting quarantine-related work absences in HCW SARS-CoV-2 contacts.

Sexual risk and HIV testing disconnect in men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited to an online HIV self-testing trial.

OBJECTIVES: We report the frequency of previous HIV testing at baseline in men who have sex with men (MSM) who enrolled in an HIV self-testing (HIVST) randomized controlled trial [an HIV self-testing public health intervention (SELPHI)]. METHODS: Criteria for enrolment were age ≥ 16 years, being a man (including trans men) who ever had anal intercourse (AI) with a man, not being known to be HIV positive and having consented to national HIV database linkage. Using online survey baseline data (2017-2018), we assessed associations with never having tested for HIV and not testing in the previous 6 months, among men who reported at least two recent condomless AI (CAI) partners. RESULTS: A total of 10 111 men were randomized; the median age was 33 years [interquartile range (IQR) 26-44 years], 89% were white, 20% were born outside the UK, 0.8% were trans men, 47% were degree educated, and 8% and 4% had ever used and were currently using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), respectively. In the previous 3 months, 89% reported AI and 72% reported CAI with at least one male partner. Overall, 17%, 33%, 54%, and 72% had tested for HIV in the last 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 2 years, respectively; 13% had tested more than 2 years ago and 15% had never tested. Among 3972 men reporting at least two recent CAI partners, only 22% had tested in the previous 3 months. Region of residence and education level were independently associated with recent HIV testing. Among current PrEP users, 15% had not tested in the previous 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Most men in SELPHI, particularly those reporting at least two CAI partners and current PrEP users, were not testing in line with current UK recommendations. The results of the trial will inform whether online promotion of HIVST addresses ongoing testing barriers.

HIV self-testing intervention experiences and kit usability: results from a qualitative study among men who have sex with men in the SELPHI (Self-Testing Public Health Intervention) randomized controlled trial in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVES: SELPHI (HIV Self-Testing Public Health Intervention) is the largest randomized controlled trial (RCT) of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in a high-income setting to date, and has recruited 10 000 men who have sex with men (cis- and transgender) and transgender women who have sex with men. This qualitative substudy aimed to explore how those utilizing self-tests experience HIVST and the implications for further intervention development and scale-up. This is the first qualitative study in Europe investigating experiences of HIVST among intervention users, and the first globally examining the experience of using blood-based HIVST. METHODS: Thirty-seven cisgender MSM SELPHI participants from across England and Wales were purposively recruited to the substudy, in which semi-structured interviews were used to explore testing history, HIVST experiences and intervention preferences. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed through a framework analysis. RESULTS: Men accessed the intervention because HIVST reduced barriers related to convenience, stigma and privacy concerns. Emotional responses had direct links to acceptability. Supportive intervention components increased engagement with testing and addressed supportive concerns. HIVST facilitated more frequent testing, with the potential to reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening frequency. Substudy participants with an HIV-positive result (n = 2) linked to care promptly and reported very high acceptability. Minor adverse outcomes (n = 2; relationship discord and fainting) did not reduce acceptability. Ease of use difficulties were with the lancet and the test processing stage. CONCLUSIONS: Intervention components shaped acceptability, particularly in relation to overcoming a perceived lack of support. The intervention was broadly acceptable and usable; participants expressed an unexpected degree of enthusiasm for HIVST, including those with HIV-positive results and individuals with minor adverse outcomes.

Investigating Conceptual Models for the Relationship Between Depression and Condomless Sex Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who have Sex with Men: Using Structural Equation Modelling to Assess Mediation.

The aim of this study is to investigate five hypothesized mechanisms of causation between depression and condomless sex with ≥ 2 partners (CLS2+) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), involving alternative roles of self-efficacy for sexual safety and recreational drug use. Data were from the AURAH cross-sectional study of 1340 GBMSM attending genitourinary medicine clinics in England (2013-2014). Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to investigate which conceptual model was more consistent with the data. Twelve percent of men reported depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) and 32% reported CLS2+ in the past 3 months. AURAH data were more consistent with the model in which depression was considered to lead to CLS2+ indirectly via low self-efficacy for sexual safety (indirect Beta = 0.158; p < 0.001) as well as indirectly via higher levels of recreational drug use (indirect Beta = 0.158; p < 0.001). SEM assists in understanding the relationship between depression and CLS among GBMSM.

Age, time living with diagnosed HIV infection, and self-rated health.

OBJECTIVES: An increasing proportion of people living with HIV are older adults, who may require specialized care. Adverse physical and psychological effects of HIV infection may be greatest among older people or those who have lived longer with HIV. METHODS: The ASTRA study is a cross-sectional questionnaire study of 3258 HIV-diagnosed adults (2248 men who have sex with men, 373 heterosexual men and 637 women) recruited from UK clinics in 2011-2012. Associations of age group with physical symptom distress (significant distress for at least one of 26 symptoms), depression and anxiety symptoms (scores ≥ 10 on PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively), and health-related functional problems (problems on at least one of three domains of the Euroqol 5D-3L)) were assessed, adjusting for time with diagnosed HIV infection, gender/sexual orientation and ethnicity. RESULTS: The age distribution of participants was: < 30 years, 5%; 30-39 years, 23%; 40-49 years, 43%; 50-59 years, 22%; and ≥ 60 years, 7%. Overall prevalences were: physical symptom distress, 56%; depression symptoms, 27%; anxiety symptoms, 22%; functional problems, 38%. No trend was found in the prevalence of physical symptom distress with age [adjusted odds ratio (OR) for trend across age groups, 0.96; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.89, 1.04; P = 0.36]. The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms decreased with age [adjusted OR 0.86 (95% CI 0.79, 0.94; P = 0.001) and adjusted OR 0.85 (95% CI 0.77, 0.94; P = 0.001), respectively], while that of functional problems increased (adjusted OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.17, 1.39; P < 0.001). In contrast, a longer time with diagnosed HIV infection was strongly and independently associated with a higher prevalence of symptom distress, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and functional problems (P < 0.001 for trends, adjusted analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Among people living with HIV, although health-related functional problems were more common with older age, physical symptom distress was not, and mental health was more favourable. These results suggest that a longer time with diagnosed HIV infection, rather than age, is the dominating factor contributing to psychological morbidity and lower quality of life.

Accuracy of self-report of HIV viral load among people with HIV on antiretroviral treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess, among people living with HIV, knowledge of their latest HIV viral load (VL) and CD4 count. METHODS: Agreement between self-report and clinic record was assessed among 2771 HIV-diagnosed individuals on antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the UK Antiretrovirals, Sexual Transmission Risk and Attitudes Study (2011-2012). A confidential self-completed questionnaire collected information on demographic, socioeconomic, HIV-related and health-related factors. Participants were asked to self-report their latest VL [undetectable (≤ 50 copies/mL), detectable (> 50 copies/mL) or "don't know"] and CD4 count (< 200, 200-350, 351-500 or > 500 cells/µL, or "don't know"). Latest clinic-recorded VL and CD4 count were documented. RESULTS: Of 2678 participants on ART, 434 (16.2%) did not accurately report whether their VL was undetectable. Of 2334 participants with clinic-recorded VL ≤ 50 copies/mL, 2061 (88.3%) correctly reported undetectable VL; 49 (2.1%) reported detectable VL; 224 (9.6%) did not know their VL. Of 344 participants with clinic-recorded VL > 50 copies/mL, 183 (53.2%) correctly reported detectable VL; 76 (22.1%) reported undetectable VL; 85 (24.7%) did not know their VL. Of 2137 participants who reported undetectable VL, clinic-recorded VL was ≤ 50 copies/mL for 2061 (96.4%) and <1000 copies/mL for 2122 (99.3%). In analyses adjusted for gender/sexual orientation, ethnicity, age and time since starting ART, factors strongly associated with inaccurate self-report of VL (including "don't know") included socioeconomic disadvantage [prevalence ratio (95% CI) for "not" vs. "always" having enough money for basic needs: 2.4 (1.9, 3.1)], poor English fluency [3.5 (2.4, 5.1) vs. UK born], nondisclosure of HIV status [1.7 (1.3, 2.1)], ART nonadherence [2.1 (1.7, 2.7) for three or more missed doses vs. none in the past 2 weeks] and depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) [1.9 (1.6, 2.2)]. Overall, 612 (22.9%) of 2667 participants on ART did not accurately self-report whether or not their CD4 count was ≤ 350 cells/µL. CONCLUSIONS: There is a high level of accuracy of a self-report of undetectable VL in people on ART in the UK. Overall, accurate knowledge of personal VL level varied according to demographic, socioeconomic, HIV-related and health-related factors. Active identification of people who may benefit from increased levels of support and engagement in care is important.

A pilot study to understand feasibility and acceptability of stool and cord blood sample collection for a large-scale longitudinal birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: Few data are available to guide biological sample collection around the time of birth for large-scale birth cohorts. We are designing a large UK birth cohort to investigate the role of infection and the developing immune system in determining future health and disease. We undertook a pilot to develop methodology for the main study, gain practical experience of collecting samples, and understand the acceptability of sample collection to women in late pregnancy. METHODS: Between February-July 2014, we piloted the feasibility and acceptability of collecting maternal stool, baby stool and cord blood samples from participants recruited at prolonged pregnancy and planned pre-labour caesarean section clinics at University College London Hospital. Participating women were asked to complete acceptability questionnaires. RESULTS: Overall, 265 women were approached and 171 (65%) participated, with ≥1 sample collected from 113 women or their baby (66%). Women had a mean age of 34 years, were primarily of white ethnicity (130/166, 78%), and half were nulliparous (86/169, 51%). Women undergoing planned pre-labour caesarean section were more likely than those who delivered vaginally to provide ≥1 sample (98% vs 54%), but less likely to provide maternal stool (10% vs 43%). Pre-sample questionnaires were completed by 110/171 women (64%). Most women reported feeling comfortable with samples being collected from their baby (<10% uncomfortable), but were less comfortable about their own stool (19% uncomfortable) or a vaginal swab (24% uncomfortable). CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to collect a range of biological samples from women around the time of delivery, and this was acceptable for most women. These data inform study design and protocol development for large-scale birth cohorts.

Transmission risk behaviour at enrolment in participants in the INSIGHT Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial.

OBJECTIVES: A proportion of HIV-positive people have condomless sex. Antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces infectiousness, but a substantial proportion of HIV-diagnosed people are not yet on ART. We describe baseline self-reported risk behaviours in ART-naïve Strategic Timing of AntiRetroviral Treatment (START) trial participants. METHODS: All START participants completed a risk behaviour questionnaire. Data were collected on sociodemographics, lifestyle factors, health and wellbeing status and clinical status. Recent sexual behaviour and HIV transmission beliefs in the context of ART were also assessed. The primary interest was in condomless sex with serodifferent partners (CLS-D) in the past two months. RESULTS: A total of 4601 of 4685 HIV-positive participants (98%) completed the questionnaire [2559 men who have sex with men (MSM), 803 heterosexual men and 1239 women]. Region of recruitment was Europe/Israel, 33%; South America/Mexico, 25%; Africa, 22%; other, 21%. Median age was 36 years [interquartile range (IQR) 29, 44 years]. Forty-five per cent reported white ethnicity and 31% black ethnicity. Two per cent had HIV viral load < 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL. Seventeen per cent (767 of 4601) reported CLS-D; 20% of MSM compared with 10% of heterosexual men and 14% of women. MSM were also more likely to report multiple CLS-D partners. Possible risk limitation measures (reported by more than half of those who had CLS-D) were seropositioning (receptive anal CLS-D only) or withdrawal (insertive anal CLS-D always without ejaculation). CLS-D was more commonly reported by participants from South America/Mexico and North America compared with Europe; among heterosexual men and women CLS-D was also more commonly reported among participants from Africa compared with Europe. Knowledge of ART impact on transmission risk was low. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial minority recruited to the START study reported CLS-D at baseline. CLS-D reporting was higher in MSM than heterosexuals and varied significantly according to region of recruitment. A substantial proportion of MSM reporting CLS-D appear to take transmission risk limitation measures.

Determinants of assault-related violence in the community: potential for public health interventions in hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Data from emergency departments (EDs) in England describe the epidemiology of violent assaults. However, the potential of such data to inform hospital-based public health interventions remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify determinants of assaults using ED data to inform development of programmes delivered in acute Trusts for reducing assault-related injuries in the community. METHODS: Data were collected from a large North London acute Trust on assault-related injuries reporting to A&E over 18 months (July 2010-February 2012). Information was recorded on patient demographics and assaults (place of assault, type of assault, relation to assailant) through questionnaires administered by ED reception staff. RESULTS: 1210 assaults were recorded between July 2010 and February 2012. 18% of assaults were severe (strangling, stabbings, sexual assaults). 75% of assault victims were men, 37% were young adults (20-30 years) and 15% were teenagers. A higher proportion of victims lived in more deprived areas. Apart from public streets (48%), the main location of assaults was at home (20%). Female compared with male victims were significantly more likely to be both assaulted at home (OR 6.13; 95% CI 4.41 to 8.54) and to be assaulted by a known assailant (family member, friend, partner/ex-partner; OR 8.20, 95% CI 5.85 to 11.48). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the notable contribution of domestic violence to assaults presenting to hospital ED. Such findings can be used to plan interventions such as screening hospital patients for domestic violence. ED data have the potential to inform hospital-based initiatives to address issues such as assaults in the local population.

HIV prevalence and testing practices among tuberculosis cases in London: a missed opportunity for HIV diagnosis?

BACKGROUND: Universal testing for HIV in patients with tuberculosis (TB) has been advocated for over a decade. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and testing practices of HIV in TB centres in London. METHODS: A cohort study was undertaken of all patients with TB in Greater London in 2003-4 (n = 1941). Logistic regression was used to assess factors affecting being offered and accepting testing and having a positive HIV result. RESULTS: The overall known prevalence of HIV was 9.9% (193/1941). In those with a test result (including those diagnosed previously) it was 25.6%. Overall, 50.8% of patients aged > or =20 years without previous testing were offered HIV testing and, of these, 73% accepted. In multivariable analysis, factors associated with being HIV positive were age 20-49 years, black ethnicity and being born overseas. Those with smear-negative disease and with a poor understanding of English were significantly less likely to be offered HIV testing. Factors associated with refusal of an offered test were female gender or age >49 years. HIV status was not associated with smear status, drug resistance or death, but was associated with CNS disease (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0 to 3.0, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly half the patients with TB in London in 2003-4 were not offered HIV testing. In those offered testing, uptake was high. Patients in higher risk groups were more likely to be offered testing but, even within the highest risk groups, testing was not universally offered. This represents a missed opportunity for diagnosing HIV in patients with TB in London.

Use of a prescription-based measure of antiretroviral therapy adherence to predict viral rebound in HIV-infected individuals with viral suppression.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess whether a simple, routinely available measure of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence predicts viral rebound at the next HIV viral load (VL) measurement in virally suppressed patients. METHODS: The analysis was performed on the Royal Free HIV Cohort, London, UK. Each 'drug coverage-viral load episode' (DCVL episode) was defined as a 6-month period immediately prior to a VL < or =50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL (time-zero), during which the patient had been continuously on HAART, with all measured VLs < or =50 copies/mL. The next VL after time-zero was used to assess whether VL rebound (defined as >200 copies/mL) had occurred. Drug coverage, our measure of adherence, was calculated as the proportion of days in the 6-month period covered by a valid prescription for at least three antiretroviral drugs. RESULTS: A total of 376 (2.4%) VL rebounds occurred in 15 660 DCVL episodes among 1632 patients. Drug coverage was 100% for 32% of episodes, 95-99% for 16% of episodes and < or =60% for 10% of episodes. The risk ratio of rebound associated with a 10% increase in drug coverage, adjusted for potential confounding variables, was 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.88-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Antiretroviral drug coverage assessed at the time of VL measurement in patients with undetectable VL is potentially clinically useful for predicting VL rebound at the next VL measurement.

Attitudes and barriers to employment in HIV-positive patients.

BACKGROUND: Unemployment in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) population remains a major issue. Recent changes in the benefits system have triggered concerns about (re)integration into work for adults with HIV. AIMS: To examine attitudes and barriers to employment in HIV patients. METHODS: We undertook a cross-sectional study in the Royal Free HIV outpatient department from December 2008 to February 2009. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, date of HIV diagnosis, combination antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count, employment status, attitudes to work, psychological health and perception of barriers to employment. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess factors associated with not working. RESULTS: Five hundred and forty-five HIV patients took part. Overall, 26% were not working and of these, half (53%) had been unemployed for >5 years. Associations with not working were having been diagnosed with HIV >10 years before, poor psychological health and poor attitudes to employment. There was no association between objective measures of health (CD4 count) and employment status. Those not working were less likely to agree with that 'work is good for physical and mental health' (90 versus 97%: P < 0.01) and more likely to agree that 'should only work if 100% fit and well' (76 versus 51%: P < 0.001) compared to workers. Those currently not working had negative perceptions of their abilities to gain employment and to remain in work. CONCLUSIONS: There are opportunities for HIV services to provide psychological support around attitudes associated with unemployment and to help HIV-positive men in particular obtain and remain in work.

Late presentation of HIV infection associated with prolonged survival following AIDS diagnosis--characteristics of individuals.

Individuals who present late with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection do not benefit from advances in drug therapies that delay their progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This paper describes these individuals and their subsequent survival and investigates predictors of late presentation. All AIDS diagnoses from 1992-1998 notified to the Victorian State AIDS Registry were included. Subjects were grouped as individuals diagnosed with AIDS within 8 weeks of a first positive HIV test (late presenters), or individuals for whom there was more than 8 weeks between AIDS diagnosis and first positive HIV test (non-late presenters). Of 1021 AIDS diagnoses notified, 24% were late presenters. Late presentation was associated with increasing age, being bisexual or heterosexual, being born in Asia, southern Europe or South America and being diagnosed at a hospital. Late presenters survived longer following AIDS diagnosis (P < 0.0001). This increased survival may indicate a positive response by drug naïve patients to antiretroviral therapies following AIDS diagnosis.

Assessment of hospitalizations among HIV patients in the UK: a national cross-sectional survey.

This 2007 cross-sectional survey is illustrative of UK HIV hospitalization patterns. Data were received for 255 inpatients of whom 43.9% had AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs). A total of 56.3% had CD4 counts <200 mm(3) and 17% were diagnosed with HIV on their current admission. In those diagnosed for >3 months with CD4 < 200/mm(3) (90/188), 47% were not on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). ADIs still make up a substantial proportion of inpatient work in the UK and late diagnosis and failure to benefit from cART remain too common.

Modelling the impact of opportunistic screening on the sequelae and public healthcare costs of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in Australian women.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the health outcomes and public healthcare costs of a single screening for Chlamydia trachomatis in Australian women aged 15-34 years. METHODS: A decision analytic model was used to determine the epidemiological estimates of prevalence and costs of C. trachomatis infection and its diagnosis, treatment and sequelae. RESULTS: We estimate that in any female population in Australia, with a Chlamydia prevalence rate of 5.7% or higher, a single screening examination for Chlamydia is cost saving for the public healthcare system. CONCLUSIONS: We found that opportunistic screening of high-risk populations is likely to be cost saving to the public healthcare system, although there is not sufficient evidence to support periodic population screening. As our model uses conservative epidemiological and public healthcare cost estimates, the health and financial impacts of C. trachomatis used in the model may be an underestimate of the true costs of infection.

The impact of diagnosis of hepatitis C virus on quality of life.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of diagnosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on quality of life in a cohort admitted to Fairfield Infectious Diseases Hospital with acute hepatitis from 1971 to 1975. Sera stored from the original admission were tested for antibody to HCV. Systematic approaches were used to locate anti-HCV-positive individuals and outcomes assessed by the Short Form 36 (SF-36) scale and a study-specific questionnaire as well as clinical review. Study subjects' SF-36 scores were compared with Australian population norms. Anti-HCV and HCV-RNA positive individuals (n = 15) aware of their serostatus rated significantly worse on 7 of 8 SF-36 scales compared with population norms. However, HCV-seropositive and RNA-positive individuals unaware of their HCV serostatus (n = 19) scored significantly worse in only 3 scales. Those aware of their serostatus did not differ sociodemographically, clinically, virologically, or serologically from those who were unaware, nor was there a link between quality of life (QOL) scores and objective measures of ill health. All subjects had injected drugs in the past. In conclusion, HCV-RNA and anti-HCV-positive individuals in our study have significantly poorer subjective health status 26 years after original infection compared with population norms. QOL measures were significantly worse for HCV-seropositive individuals aware of their serostatus compared with those unaware. We feel that the reduced QOL in the diagnosed group may be partially an effect of labeling and that the impact of the diagnostic process per se on QOL in individuals with HCV requires further evaluation.

A certain fate: spread of HIV among young injecting drug users in Manipur, north-east India.

This study aimed to measure risk behaviours and seroprevalence of HIV and hepatitis C virus in IDUs in Manipur, North-East India, and evaluate the impact of the recently established Syringe and Needle Exchange Program (SNEP). Sampling strategy was based on social networks. Peer interviewers administered the study questionnaire and collected blood for anti-HCV and anti-HIV testing. One hundred and ninety-one IDUs (85% male) took part. Average age at first injection was 19 years and average length of time injecting was 3.7 years. The main drug currently injected was heroin (66%). Most (93%) reported having shared injecting equipment and only 42% had used the SNEP. Three-quarters (74.7%) were infected with HIV and almost all (98%) with HCV. Age (p < 0.001) and length of time injecting (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with being HIV-positive. Over two-thirds were sexually active, but only 3% consistently used condoms. Almost three-quarters of IDUs in this study were infected with HIV, most within the first two years of injecting, indicating infection continues to spread at very high rates. Unsafe sexual practices place partners of infected IDUs at risk of infection. The SNEP must increase its coverage to young and new IDUs before they are exposed to blood-borne viruses.

Assessment of long-term outcomes of community-acquired hepatitis C infection in a cohort with sera stored from 1971 to 1975.

The aim of this study was to examine the long-term effects of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection on a cohort of patients admitted with acute viral hepatitis from 1971 through 1975. The availability of stored sera from this time enabled testing to identify those who were anti-HCV-positive on admission. Sixteen percent (n = 238) of the cohort tested anti-HCV-positive. The unexposed group was selected from those who were anti-HCV-negative. Systematic approaches were used to locate the cohort and health outcomes assessed by a study-specific questionnaire and clinical, serological, virological, and biochemical assessment. Complete follow-up was achieved on 98 anti-HCV-positive individuals and 201 negatives. Injecting drug use (IDU) was the presumed route of infection. At a mean of 25 years' follow-up, 54% of the anti-HCV-positive group had evidence of chronic HCV infection (both anti-HCV- and HCV-RNA-positive); the remainder were HCV-RNA-negative. Sixty-nine percent of those chronically infected had elevated serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels, but only 8% had progressed to overt cirrhosis, and no cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were identified. In summary, anti-HCV-positive subjects were 8 times more likely to have died from suicide or drug overdose than from HCV-related disease. Anti-HCV-positive study subjects were at increased risk of liver-related pathology after 25 years' follow-up, but few had progressed to overt cirrhotic liver disease. Excess mortality in this group was not the result of liver disease. This suggests that the natural history of community-acquired HCV may be more benign than previously thought.