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HCV in Latinos/Puerto Ricans
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Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody has been reported in Mexican Americans [by NHANES], but its prevalence in other US Hispanic/Latino groups is unknown....Overall, this study shows that the HCV epidemic among US Hispanic/Latino adults is heterogeneous
"men and women of Puerto Rican background in the Bronx had the highest HCV prevalence (14.2% and 4.1%, respectively). In comparison, HCV prevalences among men and women of Puerto Rican background in Chicago were 4.7% and 1.3%, respectively......A recent study of 9579 patients receiving care at Bronx primary care clinics estimated HCV prevalence to be 4.6%-7.7%.....prevalence of HCV was high in those of Puerto Rican background, low in those of South American background, and intermediate in those of Mexican, Dominican, Cuban, and Central American backgrounds (Supplementary Tables 1 and 2). These data signify that the scale of the HCV epidemic varies between Hispanic/Latino background groups.....HCV prevalence was high among Puerto Rican background participants in HCHS/SOL, and it is possible that some of their HCV infections were acquired in Puerto Rico. For example, in 2001-2002, a population-based survey of adults in San Juan, Puerto Rico, found that 10.6% of the male population was HCV-seropositive and that 6.2% of adults (both men and women) reported prior heroin use [7]."
from Jules: Latinos with HCV are unique populations located in discreet specific areas, often urban where the numbers of infected are highest. Targeted specially configured programmatic approaches are needed in each of these areas to identify, diagnose & link into care. For example in NYC, there are several Latino geographically unique areas where these programs should be initiated to reach out to these communities - in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Manhattan. Special targeted, culturally appropriate awareness programs are needed, that are different than general awareness programs. It is crucial to simply lay out awareness, screening locations, linkage to care & support services directed to these communities in a culturally appropriate manner & this can be done in various cities. Similarly, African-American communities require targeted culturally appropriate outreach programs with the same ingredients: awareness, screening locations, etc. The homeless populations also need specially devised outreach programs as this is again a unique community. For all these populations the percent who are IDU or a history of IDU create a unique situation in addition, what is needed is clinics who are prepared & willing to treat these patient populations, because all too often many of these patients are not welcome in clinics, treaters do not want to treat them, or do not know how to treat them.
[HCV Heterogeneity among various Latino groups] Prevalence of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in US Hispanic/Latino Adults: Results from the NHANES 2007-2010 and HCHS/SOL Studies - (01/15/14)
Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody has been reported in Mexican Americans [by NHANES], but its prevalence in other US Hispanic/Latino groups is unknown....Overall, this study shows that the HCV epidemic among US Hispanic/Latino adults is heterogeneous
We studied 2 populations of US Hispanic/Latino adults; 3210 from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2010 and 11 964 from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).
Age-standardized prevalence of HCV antibody was similar in NHANES 2007-2010 (1.5%) and HCHS/SOL (2.0%) but differed significantly by Hispanic/Latino background in HCHS/SOL (eg, 11.6% in Puerto Rican men vs 0.4% in South American men).
Participants in the Bronx had an HCV prevalence of 4.5%, significantly higher than those in San Diego (1.7%), Chicago (1.2%), and Miami (0.8%; P < .01 for the Bronx compared to other sites). As shown in Figure 1, men and women of Puerto Rican background in the Bronx had the highest HCV prevalence (14.2% and 4.1%, respectively). In comparison, HCV prevalences among men and women of Puerto Rican background in Chicago were 4.7% and 1.3%, respectively.
A recent study of 9579 patients receiving care at Bronx primary care clinics estimated HCV prevalence to be 4.6%-7.7% [8]. These patients were predominantly women (72%) and minority (51% Hispanic/Latino, 32% non-Hispanic/non-Latino Black), with a mean age of 49 years [8]. In subgroup analysis of this population, HCV prevalence was 14.8% among 1334 Hispanic/Latino men and 5.5% among 3581 Hispanic/Latino women (William Southern, personal communication). A similar study of 1000 primary care patients in a neighborhood adjacent to the Bronx found that 8.3% were HCV seropositive [9]."
Age-standardized HCV prevalence among Hispanics/Latinos 18-74 years of age in NHANES 2007-2010 (1.5%) and HCHS/SOL (2.0%) was similar to, if slightly higher than, prevalence among non-Hispanic/non-Latino Whites (1.2%-1.5%) in NHANES conducted between 1988 and 2008 [3]. However, prevalence of HCV was high in those of Puerto Rican background, low in those of South American background, and intermediate in those of Mexican, Dominican, Cuban, and Central American backgrounds (Supplementary Tables 1 and 2). These data signify that the scale of the HCV epidemic varies between Hispanic/Latino background groups.
HCV: who/how to screen-HCV is a Disease of the Marginalized - (01/16/14) ......This changes the thinking regarding how to diagnose the undiagonsed! what methods to use! it's not just about general awareness
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