Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus and association with intravenous drug abuse and tattooing in a national prison in Norway.

Abstract

A study was performed in order to determine the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, the risk factors for HCV infection and the markers of hepatic disease in a population of prisoners. Of 101 new prisoners admitted to a Norwegian national prison over a three month period, 70 were included in the study, of whom 32 (46%) were anti-HCV positive. Intravenous drug abuse was the predominant risk factor for HCV infection, although a history of tattooing was found by logistic regression analysis to be a significant risk factor independent of intravenous drug abuse. Most anti-HCV positive prisoners had a history of previous incarcerations. Among the anti-HCV positive subjects, increased alanine aminotransferase (> 50 U/l) was found in 23 (72%). HCV infection was the major cause of hepatic abnormalities in the study population. Only 15 (47%) of the anti-HCV positive prisoners reported knowledge of previous hepatic disease.

• Authors: D S Holsen, S Harthug, H Myrmel
• Journal: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology (Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis) Vol. 12 Issue 9 Pg. 673-6 (Sep 1993) ISSN: 0934-9723 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 7694850 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Hepatitis Antibodies
• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• Alanine Transaminase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alanine Transaminase (blood)
• Analysis of Variance
• Female
• Hepacivirus (immunology)
• Hepatitis Antibodies (blood)
• Hepatitis C (epidemiology, transmission)
• Hepatitis C Antibodies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Norway (epidemiology)
• Prisoners
• Regression Analysis
• Risk Factors
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous (complications)
• Tattooing (adverse effects)