Demographic Characteristics and Transmission Risk Factors of Patients with Hepatitis C Virus in Turkey: The EPI-C, A Multicenter and Cross-sectional Trial Türkiye’de Hepatit C Hastalarının Demografik Karakteristikleri ve Bulaşma Risk Faktörleri: Çok Merkezli ve Kesitsel EPI-C Çalışması

Tabak F., Şirin G., Demir M., Aladağ M., Sümer Ş., Kurtaran B., ...More

Viral Hepatitis Journal, vol.27, no.3, pp.109-117, 2021 (ESCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.4274/vhd.galenos.2021.2021-1-3
  • Journal Name: Viral Hepatitis Journal
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.109-117
  • Keywords: Demography, Hepatitis C, Risk factors, Turkey
  • Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of risk factors in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). Materials and Methods: Patients who were aged >18 years visiting outpatient clinics and diagnosed as having HCV infection were enrolled in this cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted in 71 cities. Patient data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and pre-defined risk factors were collected. Results: Among 1,018 patients, 53.0% were women. The mean age was 57.2±14.3 years and 34.8% had been diagnosed as having HCV infection >10 years before enrollment. Almost half of the patients (45.5%) were diagnosed during their regular check-up visits, and only 16.8% were diagnosed because of signs or symptoms of HCV. Genotype 1 and sub-genotype 1 b were detected in 87.9% and 73.7% of the patients, respectively. At least one risk factor was present in 94.8% of the patients. The most frequently reported risk factor was major dental procedures (79.2%), followed by major surgical operations (56.9%) and minor surgical interventions (42.3%). Conclusion: Our results revealed that most of the patients with HCV infection underwent major dental procedures.