Cuenca-Gómez JA, Salas-Coronas J, Soriano-Pérez MJ, Vázquez-Villegas J, Lozano-Serrano AB, Cabezas-Fernández MT. Viral hepatitis and immigration: A challenge for the healthcare system.
Rev Clin Esp 2016;
216:248-52. [PMID:
26995326 DOI:
10.1016/j.rce.2016.02.005]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 02/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Viral hepatitis is a significant health problem in African countries. The increase in the immigrant population from this continent represents a challenge for the Spanish healthcare system.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted on the prevalence of the serological markers of hepatitis B (HBV), C (HCV) and D (HDV) in African immigrants treated in a specialised doctor's office.
RESULTS
The study included 2518 patients (87.7% Sub-Saharan natives), with a mean age of 31.3 years. Some 78.8% of the patients had a positive infection marker for HBV, and 638 patients (25.3%) were diagnosed with active hepatitis B (HBsAg +). In 19 cases, antibodies against HDV were detected (4 cases with detection of the viral genome). Sixty-eight patients had antibodies against HCV, 26 of whom had a positive viral load.
CONCLUSIONS
The high prevalence of viral hepatitis in immigrants, especially HBV infection, represents a significant change in the profile of patients treated in Spain and requires measures aimed at early diagnosis and transmission prevention.
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