[ThPeC7493] Risk factors associated to hepatitis C infection among patients with HIV infection

Important note: Information in this abstract was accurate in July 2002.
The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

[TITLE:] Risk factors associated to hepatitis C infection among patients with HIV infection

[AUTHOR(S):] M C J Mendes-Correa¹, A A B Barone²

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12;14:Abstract No. ThPeC7493

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV share the same routes of transmission, which explains the high frequency of combined infections by these viruses. Objective-A case-control study was carried out in order to assess the risk factors associated to HCV in HIV co-infected patients.

METHODS: From January 1999 through July 2001, 235 patients (146 male, 89 female),attending the AIDS Outpatient Clinic were enrolled.118 patients tested positive for HCV (Elisa and PCR) were included as cases.117 patients tested negative for HCV( Elisa) were included as controls. Information was collected through a questionnaire, comprising questions involving identification, demographic characteristics, risk factors(use of intravenous illicit drugs (IDU),blood transfusion, sexual behavior, sexual contact with HIV or HCV seropositive partners, use of inhaled drugs, body piercing , tattooing and other risk factors).Demographic and socio-economic characteristics were similar in cases and controls.The adjusted Odds Ratios for HCV infection and risk factors were estimated by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS: The independent risk factors were:IDU (OR=25.46; 95% CI, 4.91-131.88),use of inhaled illicit drugs (OR= 3.56; 95% CI, 1.22-10.44),history of a IDU sexual partner(OR= 3.46; 95% CI, 1.24-9.65) ,history of a sexual partner who had received transfusion(OR= 4.79; 95% CI, 0.95-24.19)(P < 0.05), history of a sexual partner with past history of chronic hepatic disease (OR= 5.45; 95% CI, 1.33-22.32), anal intercourse(OR= 3.93; 95% CI, 1.27-12.13)and age above 30(OR= 4.65; 95% CI, 1.31-16.43).

CONCLUSIONS: In co-infected patients, HCV transmission is associated to:1-Intravenous and/or inhaled illicit drugs; 2-Risk factors for transmission of HCV in sexual partners;3-Anal intercourse.

Presenting author: M C J Mendes-Correa

1AIDS Outpatient Clinic, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

2School of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

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