Introduction and objectives. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can result in severe consequences such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Evidence of seroprevalence and incidence of HCV infection can help to recognize the magnitude of this condition and thus urge to find the effective preventive measures for this susceptible population of patients. The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence and incidence of HCV infection among patients on maintenance hemodialysis at Viet Duc hospital from Jan 2007 to Dec 2011. Patients and Method. All adults patients of both sex who had been admitted to Viet Duc Hospital for maintenance hemodialysis from 1 Jan 2007 to 31 Dec 2011 were recruited. HCV infection has been diagnosed using 3rd generation ELISA technique to detect anti-HCV antibodies. Results. A total of 647 patients including 417 males (64.4 percent) and 230 females (35.6 percent) aged from 16 to 86 years old were recruited. The average prevalence of HCV infection was 33.5 percent. Prevalence of HCV infection from 2007 to 2011 did not change significantly and was approximately 30 percent. Annual prevalence in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 was 38.2 percent, 36.0 percent, 35.3 percent, 32.7 percent, and 29.1 percent respectively. There was no significant difference in HCV prevalence between different genders and between different age groups. The incidence of HCV infection has reduced significantly from 18.0 percent in 2007 to 0.6 percent in 2011. Conclusion. Further investigations on positive factors leading to incidence of HCV infection reduction and on effective preventive measures in hemodialysis units are needed.
- Đăng nhập để gửi ý kiến