Hepatitis C Diagnoses in an American Indian Primary Care Population

Authors

Hillary E. Norton, University of New Mexico
John T. Redd, Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFollow
Ralph T. Bryan, Indian Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionFollow

Keywords

Communicable diseases; Community/public health; Diagnostic services; Hepatitis C; Indians of North America; Infectious Disease; Liver – Diseases; Primary Care Issues; Special population: Native American/First Nations

Disciplines

Community-Based Research | Demography, Population, and Ecology | Inequality and Stratification | Medicine and Health | Public Health | Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite large disparities in the burden of chronic liver disease, data on hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among American Indians (AIs) are lacking. We reviewed hepatitis C diagnoses in 35,712 AI/AN primary care patients.

MAIN FINDINGS: At least one HCV-associated ICD-9 code was recorded in 251 (1%) patients between October 1, 2001 and September 30, 2003. An HCV enzyme-linked immunoassay (HCVEIA) was sent in 209 (83.0%); 206/209 (99%) were positive. Confirmatory testing was performed in 144/206 (70%) HCV-EIA positive patients; HCV infection was confirmed in 144 (100%). In the 90/144 (63%) charts with risk factor documentation, injection drug use was the most common risk factor (61/90, 68%). Deficiencies were present in hepatitis B and HIV testing, and hepatitis A and B vaccination.

PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in laboratory workup of HCV and co-infections, risk factor ascertainment and documentation, and adult vaccination are needed to address HCV effectively in this population.

Recommended Citation

Norton, Hillary E.; Redd, John T.; and Bryan, Ralph T. (2009) "Hepatitis C Diagnoses in an American Indian Primary Care Population," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 3: Iss. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol3/iss2/5