Internal Med Medical News about recent-onset polyarthritis;screening for Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C

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Is screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C useful in patients with recent-onset polyarthritis? The ESPOIR cohort study
Journal of Rheumatology, 07/02/09

Guennoc X et al. - Prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) in a population of patients with recent-onset polyarthritis was not greater than the general population in France. Routine HBV and HCV serological testing did not contribute to the diagnosis of RA, however serological testing before initiating immunosuppressive or hepatotoxic drugs is advisable.

Methods

An evaluation of seroprevalence of HBV and HCV in pts living in France with recent-onset polyarthritis suggesting RA
813 pts in ESPOIR cohort were screened for anti-HCV antibodies and HBs antigen

Results

Seroprevalence was 0.86% for HCV and 0.12% for HBV
HCV-related arthritis was diagnosed in 0.5% pts; no patient had HBV-related arthritis
HCV-seropositive pts had higher transaminase levels but only 2 pts had ASAT or ALAT levels >40 IU
No difference for anti-CCP Abs, CRP, ESR, or other test
HCV seroprevalence was higher in subgroup with history of blood transfusion vs other pts
2/7 HCV positive pts and single patient with confirmed hepatitis B infection were born in areas with higher prevalence of viral hepatitis
Positive hepatitis status was known before study inclusion in 4/7 HCV-positive pts and in HBV-positive patient

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