Prevalence and risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Background. Studies on hepatitis C virus antibodies (Anti-HCV) in CAPD patients are scarce and include a small number of patients. Nevertheless, risk factors related to Anti-HCV in these patients are still subject to controversy. Purpose of the study. To analyse the incidence and risk factors associated with the presence of Anti-HCV in CAPD patients. Methods. We studied 255 patients from five different treatment centres of our region. The analysis was repeated after excluding 161 patients who had previously received haemodialysis treatment at least once. Anti-HCV testing was made by the 2nd-generation ELISA. As a supplementary test we used RIBA-4 in three centers and INNOLIA in the other two. Risk factors were analysed using logistic regression model for multivariate analysis. Results. In the whole group, 29 patients (11.4%) were anti-HCV positive. Logistic regression analysis determined the following variables as independent risk factors: hepatitis previous to CAPD (P =0.015, OR: 1.05) and CAPD duration (/> = 0.025, OR: 1.02). When patients who had previously undergone haemodialysis were excluded, the prevalence of HCV antibodies was 8.5% (8/94). In this group multivariate analysis showed that Anti-HCV positivity correlated with hepatitis previous to CAPD (P<0.0003, OR: 126) and Anti HBc positivity (P=0.002, OR: 41.9). Conclusions. Our prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in CAPD patients was lower than other renal replacement therapy modalities, and correlated to events occurring mainly before starting CAPD treatment. This technique could be considered as low risk for HCV infection.