EPIDEMIOLOGY OF HEPATITIS-C VIRUS-INFECTI ON IN 1304 PATIENTS - VARIATIONS ACCORDING TO THE ORIGIN OF TRANSMISSION AND THE YEAR OF DIAGNOSIS

The evolution of epidemiological data on hepatitis C virus infection i s poorly documented and thus the impact of screening is difficult to e valuate. Aim. -To study epidemiological variations based on the origin of transmission and the year of diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infect ion. Methods. -The files of all 1304 patients seen in the hepatology u nit of the Rennes University Hospital were analyzed (retrospectively b efore and prospectively after October 1995) in relation to epidemiolog ical features. Results. -Despite widespread screening which is the sou rce of 60 % of the diagnoses, the total number of new cases of hepatit is C infection per year has not increased Compared to patients diagnos ed in the first years following the discovery of the virus patients re cently identified were younger (42 +/- 14 years) and frequently drug a ddicts (40 %). Amino-transaminases were normal in 20 % of cases. The f requency of cirrhosis has declined (17 %). There has been a decrease i n the proportion of patients who undergo liver biopsy (50 %) and treat ment with interferon tone third of patients). Conclusions. -The impact of screening on the number of newly treated patients seems to be lowe r than previously predicted.