Use of fax-back surveillance to determine epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with hepatitis C in Waterbury, Connecticut.

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a leading cause of chronic liver disease in the United States. Connecticut has a registry of laboratory reported cases of HCV. These reports include limited patient-level information. Using a one-page abstraction instrument, we used this registry to contact providers by fax to obtain contact, epidemiologic, and clinical information on Waterbury residents with newly reported HCV. We offered to perform the data abstraction if desired by the physician. In 2004, 376 new cases of HCV were reported. Eighty-eight percent of abstraction instruments were returned; most were completed by physician office staff. These included detailed information on age, race, gender, risk factors for acquisition of infection, clinical status, and confirmatory testing. Many patients appear to not have adequate follow-up for the management of this infection. Fax-back surveillance in the case of HCV is feasible and provides much-needed patient-level information.