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DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1323989
High prevalence of chronic hepatitis C in 8009 patients with migration background living in Germany
Aims: The prevalence of HCV antibodies (anti-HCV) in the general German population has been estimated to be around 0.5%. Meanwhile nearly 20% of the German population has a migration background. Since there is a growing body of data demonstrating an increase in the burden of migration-related chronic viral hepatitis in Western societies we aimed to assess the anti-HCV prevalence in patients (pts) with a migration background.
Methods: Between 09/2008 and 12/2010 anti-HCV status of 8009 pts with migration background was documented by 42 centers in Germany. In addition demographic data, HCV genotype, and AST/ALT levels were recorded and retrospectively analyzed.
Results: A total of 1348 pts were found to be anti-HCV positive. In 16 general health practices and 5 hospital departments of internal medicine anti-HCV prevalence was found to be 5.8% (156/2670) and 6.3% (57/905). A higher prevalence of 25.0% (711/2849) and 26.7% (422/1582) in practices specialized in hepatology or drug substitution may reflect selection of pts with high risk for HCV infection. Countries of origin were GUS-countries (50%), Poland (8%), Turkey (8%), other European countries (17%), Asian countries (10%), Africa (5%) and other (2%). The mean age of these pts was 43 years, 35% were female and 5% were co-infected with HIV. HCV genotypes were documented from 1047 pts and showed the following distribution: G1 59% (subtype 1a 38%, subtype 1b 50%, unknown subtype 12%), G2 8%, G3 27%, G4 5% and other 1%. Information for HCV transmission was available for 1216 pts indicating intravenous drug abuse in 42% of migrants as main risk factor for HCV infection followed by transfusion of blood or blood products in 21% and tattoo/piercing in 8%.
Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of chronic hepatitis C in patients with migration background living in Germany. Intravenous drug abuse is the main risk factor for HCV transmission.