High Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Immigrants From the Former Soviet Union in the

April 5, 2008

The American Journal of Gastroenterology 103 (4) , 922¨C927

doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2008.01789.x

Abstract

High Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Immigrants From the Former

Soviet Union in the New York City Metropolitan Area: Results of a

Community-Based Screening Program

Batash, M.D.11Division of Gastroenterology, NYU School of Medicine,

Inessa Khaykis, M.D.11Division of Gastroenterology, NYU School of Medicine,

F. Raicht, M.D.1,21Division of Gastroenterology, NYU School of

Medicine2the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, New York, and

Edmund J. Bini, M.D., M.P.H.1,21Division of Gastroenterology, NYU School of

Medicine2the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, New York, New York1Division

of Gastroenterology, NYU School of Medicine and 2the VA New York Harbor

Healthcare System, New York, New York

Reprint requests and correspondence: Edmund J. Bini, M.D., M.P.H., Division of

Gastroenterology, VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, 423 East 23rd Street,

New York, NY 10010.

(Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:922¨C927)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Inadequate sterilization and reuse of medical equipment likely

contributed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in the former Soviet Union

(FSU). Although New York leads the nation in the number of immigrants from the

FSU, the epidemiology of HCV infection has not been evaluated in this

population. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of and risk

factors for HCV infection among immigrants from the FSU in the New York

metropolitan area.

METHODS: We conducted a 3-day community-based HCV screening program in the two

boroughs of the New York metropolitan area with the highest density of FSU

immigrants (Brooklyn and Queens). Russian cable television was used to invite

subjects to come in for free HCV testing. In the last 2 days of screening, each

person also completed an HCV risk factor questionnaire.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HCV seropositivity among the 283 subjects

was 28.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.0¨C33.5%). The prevalence of HCV

infection was similar in men and women (30.3% vs 26.5%, P = 0.48) and was

highest in subjects ¡Ý70 yr old (35.0%). HCV seropositivity was 11.1% in

immigrants from Russia, 29.0% from Uzbekistan, 31.0% from the Ukraine, and 36.8%

from other regions. Intramuscular injections (odds ratio 9.1, 95% CI 2.0¨C42.4)

and blood transfusions (odds ratio 3.2, 95% CI 1.2¨C9.0) were the only variables

that were significantly associated with HCV infection in the multivariable

analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: In this community-based screening program we found a high

prevalence of HCV infection among immigrants from the FSU, and these infections

likely resulted from inadequately sterilized medical equipment and blood

transfusions. Universal HCV testing should be strongly considered for all FSU

immigrants.

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1572-0241.2008.01789.x

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April 5, 2008