Background/aims There have been only few studies on the population-adjusted seroprevalence of HBV and HCV and on the change of them for more than 10 years in Korea. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate them at a single health center in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province considering the population composition ratio. Methods We analyzed the seromarkers of HBV and HCV of 6,237 randomly sampled adults who had received health screening at the health promotion center in Dongsan hospital during the periods from year 1997 to 1999 (Period A) and from 2007 to 2009 (Period B). Results The seroprevalences of HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc and anti-HCV were 4.8%, 70.2%, 47.4%, and 0.5%, respectively. There is no difference in the seroprevalence of HBsAg between period A and B. However, downward tendency of prevalence through A to B from 6.8% to 4.5% could be found in 40s, and upward tendency from 4.7% to 6.8% in 50s. As for the seroprevalence of anti-HCV, although there was no difference through A to B, for 50s, it decreasd from 2.0% to 0.3% (p=0.007). However, for 60s, it increased as much as decreasd for 50s. Conclusions The seroprevalence of HBsAg in Daegu/Gyeongbuk province was 4.8% and showed no difference through the time period of 10 years. The seroprevalence of anti-HCV was 0.5% and also showed no difference through the time periods.

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[Shifting in seroprevalence of HBsAg and anti-HCV during recent 10 years in adults resident in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province]

To estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and to determine associated risk factors, a population-based seroepidemiologic study was carried out In 1993, a health examination survey of the population was carried out in rural area known to have a high incidence of liver cancer The study population were those who volunteered to participate in a health survey over 10 years of age Examinees were interviewed by specially trained staffs Sera from 1,033 study subjects were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by everse passive hemagglutinin (RPHA) estimation and for hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV) by 2nd generation passive hemagglutinin (PHA) estimation The age and sex standardized prevalence of HBsAg was 63% which was similar to national average, but that of anti-HCV was 51% which was 4 to 5 times higher than that of blood donors or other health examinees in Korea In a multivariate analysis, transfusion history, surgical operative history, and acupuncture history were not associated with HBsAg positivity In contrast, acupuncture history (adjusted odds ratio[OR]=22 : 95% Confidence interval[CI] 10-47) and surgical operative history(adjusted OR=20 : 95% CI 10-41) were associated with anti-HCV positivity The present study suggest that there is an highly endemic area of HCV infection in Korea and probably this endemicity is associated with a parenteral source of HCV infection other than blood transfusion

Byung-Seong Suh

Papers

Seroepidemiologic Study of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Infection among Koreans in Rural Area, Korea