M. Chiaramonte et al., RISK-FACTORS IN COMMUNITY-ACQUIRED CHRONIC HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTION - A CASE-CONTROL STUDY IN ITALY, Journal of hepatology, 24(2), 1996, pp. 129-134
Aims/Methods: A case-control study was carried out in Italy to assess
the risk factors associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.
Five hundred consecutive chronic anti-hepatitis C virus positive cases
and 500 sex and exactly age-matched anti-hepatitis C virus negative/H
BsAg negative controls entered the study. Information was collected th
rough an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The adjusted Odds Rat
ios linking hepatitis C virus infection and risk factors were estimate
d by conditional multiple logistic regression. Demographic and socio-e
conomic characteristics were similar in cases and controls. Seventy-fi
ve percent of patients were aged over 40: males were prominent in the
group less than or equal to 40, while the number of females increased
with age. Results: As expected, drug addiction and blood transfusion e
merged as independent risk factors: blood transfusion in all ages and
in both sexes, drug addiction only in subjects under 41 years and most
ly in males. Other risk factors independently associated with hepatiti
s C virus infection were: previous use of non-disposable needles, prev
ious tuberculosis, and prolonged hospitalization before 1970. A histor
y of sexually-transmitted diseases was not associated. Conclusions: Th
is study shows that the great spread of hepatitis C virus in Italy may
have occurred several years ago through parenteral routes which are n
ot now operating. Modern hygienic and sanitation measures have signifi
cantly controlled exposure to the infection, which in the younger gene
rations is confined to high-risk groups such as drug addicts.