Prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) serological markers in healthy working population.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) changes geographically. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers in healthy working population and to describe the epidemiological characteristics associated to its presence. METHODS: blood samples and epidemiological data of 5,017 healthy workers from Murcia and Madrid were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: a total of 5,017 healthy volunteers participated. Mean age 39 ± 11 years, men predominance (73 %). Prevalence of serological markers of HCV and HBV was 0.6 % and 0.7 %. Age of patients with HCV antibody was significantly higher (43 + or - 9 years vs. 39 + or - 11 years; p = 0.03). We observed significant differences in liver test values (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 64 ± 56 IU/L vs. 28 ± 20 IU/L; p < 0.001; aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (51 + or - 45 IU/L vs. 23 + or - 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) value (104 + or - 122 IU/L vs. 37 + or - 46 IU/L; p < 0.001. The presence of HCV antibody was related significantly to previous transfusion (13 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.03), tattoos (29 % vs. 13 %; p < 0.01), intravenous drug addiction (13 % vs. 0.2 %; p < 0.001) and coexistence with people with positive HCV antibody (16 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). In HBV no differences in basal characteristics were observed with exception in AST values (29 + or - 15 IU/L vs. 23 + or - 12 IU/L; p < 0.01). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was related significantly to previous transfusion (15 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.01), tattoos (26 % vs. 14 %; p = 0.04) and coexistence with people with positive HBsAg (17 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of serological markers in healthy working population is low. Risk factors for infection were previous transfusion and tattoos. Intravenous drug addiction was only a risk factor in HCV.

Prevalencia de marcadores serológicos de virus hepatotropos (B y C) en población trabajadora sana / Prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) serological markers in healthy working population

Introducción y objetivos: la prevalencia de las hepatitis víricas (B y C) varía geográficamente. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar la prevalencia de los marcadores serológicos de los virus de la hepatitis B (VHB) y de la hepatitis C (VHC) en población trabajadora sana describiendo las características epidemiológicas asociadas. Métodos: se recogieron prospectivamente muestras de sangre y datos epidemiológicos de 5.017 trabajadores sanos de Murcia y Madrid. Resultados: se incluyeron en el estudio 5.017 voluntarios sanos. Edad media 39 ± 11, 73 % varones. La prevalencia de los marcadores serológicos del VHC y el VHB fue de 0,6 % y 0,7 %, respectivamente. La edad de los pacientes con presencia de anti-VHC fue significativamente mayor (43 ± 9 años frente a 39 ± 11 años; p = 0,03). Se objetivaron diferencias significativas en los valores de transaminasas (alanina-aminotransferasa [ALT] 64 ± 56 UI/l frente a 28 ± 20 UI/l; p < 0,001; aspartato-aminotransferasa [AST] 51 ± 45 UI/l frente a 23 ± 12 UI/l; p < 0,001) y en los valores de gamma-glutamiltransferasa (GGT) (104 ± 122 UI/l frente a 37 ± 46 UI/l; p < 0,001). La presencia de anti-VHC se relacionó significativamente con transfusión previa (13 % frente a 5 %; p = 0,03), tatuajes (29 % frente a 13 %; p < 0,01), adicción a drogas por vía parenteral (ADPV) (13 % frente a 0,2 %; p < 0,001) y convivencia con personas con anti-VHC positivo (16 % frente a 4 %; p < 0,001). Respecto al VHB, no se evidenciaron diferencias en las características basales, a excepción de los valores de AST (29 ± 15 UI/l frente a 23 ± 12 UI/l; p < 0,01) El antígeno de superficie del VHB (AgHBs) se relacionó significativamente con transfusión previa (15 % frente a 5 %; p < 0,01), tatuajes (26 % frente a 14 %; p = 0,04) y convivencia con personas con AgHBs + (17 % frente a 4 %; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: la prevalencia de los marcadores serológicos del VHC y del VHB en población trabajadora sana es baja. Los factores de riesgo asociados a su presencia fueron la transfusión previa y la presencia de tatuajes. La ADVP se demostró como factor de riesgo solo en el caso del VHC (AU)

Introduction and objectives: prevalence of viral hepatitis (B and C) changes geographically. Our aim was to determinate the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) serological markers in healthy working population and to describe the epidemiological characteristics associated to its presence. Methods: blood samples and epidemiological data of 5,017 healthy workers from Murcia and Madrid were recorded prospectively. Results: a total of 5,017 healthy volunteers participated. Mean age 39 ± 11 years, men predominance (73 %). Prevalence of serological markers of HCV and HBV was 0.6 % and 0.7 %. Age of patients with HCV antibody was significantly higher (43 ± 9 years vs. 39 ± 11 years; p = 0.03). We observed significant differences in liver test values (alanine aminotransferase [ALT] 64 ± 56 IU/L vs. 28 ± 20 IU/L; p < 0.001; aspartate aminotransferase [AST] (51 ± 45 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.001) and in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) value (104 ± 122 IU/L vs. 37 ± 46 IU/L; p < 0.001. The presence of HCV antibody was related significantly to previous transfusion (13 % vs. 5 %; p = 0.03), tattoos (29 % vs. 13 %; p < 0.01), intravenous drug addiction (13 % vs. 0.2 %; p < 0.001) and coexistence with people with positive HCV antibody (16 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). In HBV no differences in basal characteristics were observed with exception in AST values (29 ± 15 IU/L vs. 23 ± 12 IU/L; p < 0.01). Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was related significantly to previous transfusion (15 % vs. 5 %; p < 0.01), tattoos (26 % vs. 14 %; p = 0.04) and coexistence with people with positive HBsAg (17 % vs. 4 %; p < 0.001). Conclusions: prevalence of serological markers in healthy working population is low. Risk factors for infection were previous transfusion and tattoos. Intravenous drug addiction was only a risk factor in HCV (AU)