Prevalência, incidência e fatores associados ao anti-VHC em pacientes de clínicas de hemodiálise em Fortaleza-Ceará no ano de 1997

Abstract

The prevalence of hepatitis C vírus (HCV) is higher in patients on hemodialysis than in general population, probably reflecting a larger exposition to risk situations. The aim of this study was to determine the anti-HCV antibodies prevalence in hemodialysis patients, the six months follow-up incidence and to identify clinics and patients factors associated with the transmission of HCV. A cross-sectional study was accomplished in which all the 752 patients in all the 12 dialysis clinics of Fortaleza, Ceará, were tested by the third generation ELISA screening method Such screening was also carried out in 283 negatives patients, after six months of the first measurement. Socio-demographic, clinicai and epidemiologic aspects of 663 patients were recorded. Nosocomial factors were recorded with a especific instrument. The prevalence of anti-HCV was 52% (390/746; ranged from 6% to 72%) and larger in patients with: previous peritoneal dialysis (p=0,0001), higher transfusion rates (p=0,0001/) and larger serum ALT (p=0,038). Dialytic age has been associated to anti-HCV positivity (OR=1,4; IC95% 1,3-1,6). Clinics policies related to anti-HCV positivity were: previous heparin preparation (OR=2,6; IC95% 1,1-6,1), failure in the use or change of gloves (OR=4,1; IC95% 1,8-9,2) and dialysis machines disinfection (OR=2,8; IC95% 1,6-5,0). The six-month anti-HCV positivity incidence was 9% (0 to 40%).