BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the leading causes of liver cancer, creating enormous economic and social burdens. The Chinese government recommends routine screening of inpatients for HCV before invasive procedures to prevent iatric infections. However, the diagnosis and treatment rates for HCV remain low. The aim of this study was to use available routine screening data to understand the HCV screening of inpatients in different regions of China.MethodsInpatient information and HCV screening results were collected from January 2016 to December 2016 at eight tertiary hospitals in different regions of China to compare the HCV-positivity of hospitalized patients among different regions and age groups.ResultsThe HCV screening rate of inpatients was more than 50%. A total of 467,008 inpatients were enrolled in the study (51.20% were male), and the HCV antibody (anti-HCV) -positive rate was 0.88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.85-0.91%) among the total population. This rate was significantly higher among all males compared with all females (0.91% vs 0.85%). Moreover, the HCV antibody-positive rate increased with age and was highest for the 60-64-year age group. Notably, 90.14% (3722/4129) of the anti-HCV seropositive patients were 40years of age or older. HCV screening for people over 40years old is recommended.ConclusionsThis study highlights the key role of routine examination for HCV infection in hospitalized patients. Full use of inpatient screening results to manage HCV antibody-positive patients and a screening strategy targeting inpatients 40years and older were found to be low-cost and effective, which will help to find the missing millions of yet unaware patients and also accelerate the elimination of HCV in China.
[1]Jilin Univ, Hosp 1, Dept Hepatol, Changchun 130021, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[2]Jilin Univ, Hosp 1, Dept Phase 1 Clin Trial Ctr, Changchun 130021, Jilin, Peoples R China.
[3]Henan Prov Peoples Hosp, Dept Infect Dis, Zhengzhou 450003, Henan, Peoples R China.
[4]Guangxi Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 1, Dept Infect Dis, Nanning 530021, Guangxi, Peoples R China.
[5]Harbin Med Univ, Hosp 4, Dept Infect Dis, Harbin 150001, Heilongjiang, Peoples R China.
[6]Hebei Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 3, Dept Infect Dis, Shijiazhuang 050051, Hebei, Peoples R China.
[7]Chongqing Med Univ, Affiliated Hosp 2, Dept Infect Dis, Inst Viral Hepatitis, Chongqing 400010, Peoples R China.
[8]Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Sch Med, Dept Infect Dis, Ruijin Hosp, Shanghai 200025, Peoples R China.
[9]Lanzhou Univ, Hosp 1, Dept Infect Dis, Lanzhou 730000, Gansu, Peoples R China.
[10]Zhejiang Univ, Sch Med, Affiliated Hosp 2, Dept Neurosurg, Hangzhou 31000, Zhejiang, Peoples R China.
(8.0+极速模式)