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Table 5 Integrated screening programs in antenatal/obstetric/fertility clinics

From: Outcomes of hepatitis C screening programs targeted at risk groups hidden in the general population: a systematic review

Program characteristics

Program outcomes

First author, year of publication

Calendar year of data collection

Population

Country and HCV prevalence according to CDC[23]

Setting of screening

Duration of screening program

Other tests

Prescreening selection

Media activities

Screening uptake and anti-HCV prevalence (95% CI)

Risk profile of identified HCV cases/Risk factors associated with HCV

Follow-up of HCV-infected individuals

Alexanian et al. 2009 [84]

NR

Pregnant women

UK (1.1%): London

Antenatal clinic

8 years, Hospital records search

HBV, HIV

No

NR

Scr. uptake: NR

NR

In total, 73.0% (84/115) of patients had chronic HCV, of whom 55.9% (47/84) were lost to follow-up, 10.7% (9/84) deferred treatment, 4.8% (4/84) were on treatment, and 17.9% (15/84) completed treatment. Of these 15, 12 achieved SRV, 1 relapsed, and two failed to respond.

Prevalence: 0.4 (115/31081; 95% CI: 0.3-0.4)*

Outcomes: RNA rate: 73.0% (84/115)

Start treatment: 67.9% (19/28)

SVR: 80.0% (12/15)

Abusheikha et al. 1999 [85]

1996-1998

Couples receiving fertility treatment

UK (1.1%): Cambridge

Bourn Hall clinic, infertility hospital

3 years

HIV, HBV

No

NR

Scr. uptake: NR

Prevalence: 0.5% (9/1658; 95% CI: 0.3-1.0)**

NR

All patients were counseled by senior medical staff.

Outcomes: RNA rate: NR

Start treatment: NR

SVR: NR

Leikin et al. 1994 [86]

1991-1992

Pregnant women who are at risk for perinatal complications

USA (1.9%): Valhalla

Hospital (obstetric)

19,5 months

ALT

No

NR

Scr. uptake: NR

Prevalence: 4.6% (78/1700; 95% CI: 3.7-5.7)*

Multivariable regr. analysis:

- History of IDU

- Other drug use

- Age > 30

- Incarceration

- Blood transfusion

In total, 96.2% (75/78) of the patients returned for follow-up. No further details reported.

Outcomes:

RNA rate: NR

Start treatment: NR

SVR: NR

Ward et al. 2000 [87]

1997-1999

Pregnant women

UK (1.1%): London

Antenatal clinic

18 months

HBV

No

Yes

Scr. uptake: 98.0% (4727/4825)

Prevalence: 0.8% (38/4729; 95% CI: 0.6-1.1)***

Univariate regr. analysis:

- History of IDU

- HCV-infected partner

- Tattoo

- Partner IDU

In total, 71.1% (27/38) had chronic HCV, and 85.2% (23/27) were offered follow-up appointments so far. Of those, 82.6% (19/23) attended for further investigations.

Outcomes: RNA rate: 71.1% (27/38)

Start treatment: NR

SVR: NR

Costa et al. 2009 [88]

2004-2005

Pregnant women

Brazil (1%): Central Brazil, Goiania

Antenatal clinics

NR

HIV and seven other infectious diseases (not specified)

No

NR

Scr. uptake: 99.9% (28561/28576)

Prevalence: 0.2% CHCV (43/28561; 95% CI: 0.1-0.2%)****

Multivariable regr. analysis:

- Older age

- >3 pregnancies(no data on risk factors collected)

Patients were referred for free of cost medical counseling (no results reported).

Outcomes:

RNA rate: n/a

Start treatment: NR

SVR: NR

  1. Note: CI = confidence interval; NR = not reported; IDU = injecting drug use; HCV = hepatitis C virus; CHCV = chronic hepatitis C virus; HIV = human immunodeficiency virus; HBV = hepatitis B virus; ALT = alanine aminotransferase; SVR = sustained virological response; PCR = polymerase chain reaction.
  2. *HCV-antibody prevalence is considered suboptimal (data were collected before 1994 when sensitivity/specificity of tests was not optimal, or reactive HCV-antibody test results were not confirmed by immunoblot).
  3. **The reliability of the reported HCV-antibody prevalence is undecided (data were collected after 1993, but the diagnostic tests are unspecified, or other than described below, or dried blood spots or oral fluid samples were used).
  4. ***HCV-antibody prevalence is considered valid; data were collected after 1993, and reactive HCV-antibody test results were confirmed by second or higher generation immunoblot assays from Ortho, Chiron, Novartis (RIBA), Innogenetics (LiaTek), Pasteur (DECISCAN HCV), Genelabs Diagnostics (HCV BLOT), or Mikrogen (recomBlot HCV IgG 2.0).
  5. ****HCV-antibody prevalence is considered valid, but reflecting chronic HCV infection (data were collected after 1993, and reactive HCV antibody test results were confirmed by PCR).