Factors associated with use of ultrasonography screening for hepatocellular carcinoma among hepatitis B or C carriers

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http://www.cancerepidemiology.net/article/PIIS1877782110001633/abstract?rss=yes

THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY, DETECTION AND PREVENTION

Volume 34, Issue 6, Pages 713-716 (December 2010)

Factors associated with use of ultrasonography screening for hepatocellular

carcinoma among hepatitis B or C carriers

Eo Rin Choa, Aesun Shina, Kui Son Choib, Hoo-Yeon Leeb, Jeongseon Kima

Accepted 6 September 2010. published online 21 September 2010.

Abstract

Objectives: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV)

infections are important risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Yet,

there have been few studies on adherence to screening recommendations for groups

at high risk for HCC. We assessed whether demographic factors or medical

conditions affected screening participation among HBV/HCV carriers.

Methods: The study population consisted of 15565 men and women who visited the

National Cancer Center, Korea between August 2002 and July 2009. A

self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on demographic

characteristics, medical history, including chronic HBV and HCV infection, and

health check-up history. HBV surface antigen and HCV antibody levels were

measured in serum.

Results: Among 781 HBV carriers, 596 (76.3%) were aware of their infection and

451 (57.8%) had ever been tested by ultrasonography. Among HCV carriers, 49 of

127 (36.6%) were aware of their infection and 61 (48.0%) had ever been tested by

ultrasonography. Among HBV carriers, male sex (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.22–2.31),

family history of liver disease (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.43–2.90), medical history

of hyperlipidemia (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.36–5.33), and awareness of infection

status (OR, 4.30; 95% CI, 2.99–6.17) were associated with being tested. Among

HCV carriers, awareness of infection (OR, 3.77; 95% CI, 1.72–8.26) was

significantly associated with being tested by ultrasonography.

Conclusion: Male sex, family history of liver disease, medical history of

hyperlipidemia, and awareness of high risk status were associated with being

tested by ultrasonography.

a Cancer Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Management,

Research Institute, National Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu,

Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 410-769, Republic of Korea

b Cancer Early Detection Branch, National Cancer Control Institute, National

Cancer Center, 323 Ilsan-ro, Ilsandong-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do 410-769,

Republic of Korea

Corresponding author. Tel.: +82 31 920 2571; fax: +82 31 920 2579.

PII: S1877-7821(10)00163-3

doi:10.1016/j.canep.2010.09.003

© 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.