Analysis of the characteristics associated with hepatitis C virus infection in hospitals featuring infectious diseases: A retrospective study

Background: The hepatitis C virus infection is a high-risk factor for cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. However, since the majority of hepatitis C patients are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, they remain undetected with no timely treatment. In this study, we collected the data of patients positive for HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA from our hospital and analyzed the status and characteristics of hepatitis C virus infection in a hospital featuring infectious diseases. Methods: : Data were obtained from patients admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital between 2017 and 2020. The HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA positivity rates were compared among different age groups along with the age distribution of positive patients. In addition, HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA positivity rates, as well as inpatients HCV antibody detection rate, were analyzed between 2017 and 2020. Results: : The average positivity rate (%) of HCV antibody was 6.78%, with the highest rate in the 50-59 age group. Whereas, the average positivity rate (%) of HCV-RNA testing was 24.08%, which showed a continuous increase with an increase in age. Patients aged 50–59 years comprised the highest number of patients with both HCV antibodies and HCV-RNA positivity. Women had a higher positivity rate of HCV antibodies than men ( P <0.001). Between 2017 and 2020, the positivity rate (%) of HCV antibodies showed a continuous decrease from 7.6% to 6.24% ( P <0.0001). Contrastingly, the positivity rate (%) of HCV-RNA showed a continuous increase from 22.03% to 26.58% ( P = 0.0004). The detection rate of HCV antibodies in inpatients was 59.8%, while the positivity rate was 5.24%. While the detection rate showed an upward trend, the positivity rate showed a downward trend. Conclusions: : Our hospital displayed a clustering effect on HCV-infected patients as well as on the high-risk group of people. Hence, there was a need to strengthen the awareness in patients for active screening of hepatitis C, especially in patients over 40 years of age. The population with age 50–59 was more susceptible to HCV infection and required more attention to hepatitis C screening. Furthermore, inpatient detection results should be completely used to ensure more visibility and on-time treatment of patients.