Journal Article•
Frequency of acute hepatitis C after needle stick injury and its treatment outcome.
01 Jan 2009-Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences (Professional Medical Publications)-Vol. 25, Iss: 5, pp 766-769
TL;DR: Acute HCV is an uncommon disease to diagnose; it has favorable response to therapy if initiated early after a strict surveillance of patients for 8-16 weeks.
Abstract: Objective: To determine the frequency of acute HCV infection after needle stick injury and its treatment outcome. Methodology: Patients with HCV positive needle stick injury and reporting within 72 hours of incident were selected. Co-infections with HBV, HDV, HIV, hematological disorders and depression were excluded. Anti-HCV was done at presentation and those testing positive were excluded. HCV RNA was done after two weeks or anti-HCV after six weeks of incident. Those testing positive were kept under observation for 16 weeks for spontaneous resolution. After this period HCV RNA and Genotype were done and therapy with Peg-interferon was started. Rapid, early and sustained virological responses were checked. Results: Two hundred eight patients with HCV positive needle stick injury were selected, 10 (4.8%) developed acute HCV infection out of them one (10%) had spontaneous recovery during the observation period of 16 weeks. seven (77.8%) achieved rapid virological response and eight (88.9%) achieved sustained virological response. Conclusions: Acute HCV is an uncommon disease to diagnose; it has favorable response to therapy if initiated early after a strict surveillance of patients for 8-16 weeks.
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TL;DR: To characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in Pakistan and estimate the pooled mean HCV antibody prevalence in different risk populations, all available records of HCV incidence and/or prevalence from 1989 to 2016 were systematically reviewed.
Abstract: To characterize hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in Pakistan and estimate the pooled mean HCV antibody prevalence in different risk populations, we systematically reviewed all available records of HCV incidence and/or prevalence from 1989 to 2016, as informed by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook. This systematic review was reported following the PRISMA guidelines. Populations were classified into six categories based on the risk of exposure to HCV infection. Meta-analyses were performed using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with inverse variance weighting. The search identified one HCV incidence study and 341 prevalence measures/strata. Meta-analyses estimated the pooled mean HCV prevalence at 6.2% among the general population, 34.5% among high-risk clinical populations, 12.8% among populations at intermediate risk, 16.9% among special clinical populations, 55.9% among populations with liver-related conditions and 53.6% among people who inject drugs. Most reported risk factors in analytical epidemiologic studies related to healthcare procedures. Pakistan is enduring an HCV epidemic of historical proportions—one in every 20 Pakistanis is infected. HCV plays a major role in liver disease burden in this country, and HCV prevalence is high in all-risk populations. Most transmission appears to be driven by healthcare procedures. HCV treatment and prevention must become a national priority.
92 citations
Cites background from "Frequency of acute hepatitis C afte..."
...Only one study was identified for HCV incidence [144] (not shown in the electronic supplementary material, table S5), in which there were greater than or equal to 100 participants, and was therefore classified as having high precision....
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TL;DR: Although a single case definition for recent HCV is not warranted, a degree of standardization within specific study categories would enable improved cross-study comparison and more uniform evaluation of HCV prevention and management strategies.
46 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Needle stick injury is the most important occupational health hazard in nurses with alarmingly high rates and screening of nurses after needle stick injury and promotion of safety measures against it should be greatly encouraged.
Abstract: Background: Needle-stick injury (NSI) is a major occupational health and safety issue faced by healthcare professionals globally. This study was aimed to assess the frequency and factors associated with NSIs in nurses of a tertiary health care facility in Lahore, Pakistan. It also focuses on safety measures adopted by these nurses after a needle stick injury. Methods : This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from October 2009 to January 2010. All nurses have participated in the study with a response rate of 99%. These responses were obtained via a pretested self-administered questionnaire. The data was analysed using SPSS-16. Percentages of the categorical variables were computed and represented in various statistical data presentation forms, for analysis and comparison. Chi-square test was applied as a test of significance with fixing the p value of 0.05 as significant. Results: Out of 77 nurses who participated in our study, only 33 (42%) nurses were aware of the occupational hazards of their profession when they joined nursing. Needle stick injury was reported by 40 (71.9%) of the nurses in last one year. About 17 (31.5%) were injured at the time of recapping the syringe. The availability of needle cutters in the hospital was reported by 75 (97.4%) nurses while only 46 (60%) of them had undertaken a sharp management training course. Approximately 50 (64.9%) nurses failed to use gloves while administering injections. After getting stuck by a contaminated needle 71 (92%) of the nurses cleaned the wound with a spirit swab, 67 (87%) washed the area with soap and water and 58 (75%) applied a readily available bandage. Only 38 (49%) went on to inform the higher officials about a needle stick injury. Fifty-seven (74%) of the nurses were vaccinated against HBV, and 56 (72.2%) of needle stick injured nurses proceeded for HBV screening, while 53 (68.6%) for HCV and 37(48.5%) for HIV. Conclusion: Needle stick injury is the most important occupational health hazard in nurses with alarmingly high rates. Reporting to the concerned authorities, screening of nurses after needle stick injury and promotion of safety measures against it should be greatly encouraged. Keywords: Needle stick injuries, Nurses, Pakistan
32 citations
Cites background from "Frequency of acute hepatitis C afte..."
...3% in nurses.(11) The gravity of situation in Pakistan can be estimated by another study conducted in operation room personnel, 58....
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TL;DR: Though there is extensive variation in study-specific measures of HCV viremic rate, pooled mean estimates are similar regardless of risk population or subpopulation, country/subregion, HCV antibody prevalence in the background population, or sex.
Abstract: Objectives To estimate hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremic rate, defined as the proportion of HCV chronically infected individuals out of all ever infected individuals, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Methods Sources of data were systematically-gathered and standardized databases of the MENA HCV Epidemiology Synthesis Project. Meta-analyses were conducted using DerSimonian-Laird random-effects models to determine pooled HCV viremic rate by risk population or subpopulation, country/subregion, sex, and study sampling method. Random-effects meta-regressions were conducted to identify predictors of higher viremic rate. Results Analyses were conducted on 178 measures for HCV viremic rate among 19,593 HCV antibody positive individuals. In the MENA region, the overall pooled mean viremic rate was 67.6% (95% CI: 64.9-70.3%). Across risk populations, the pooled mean rate ranged between 57.4% (95% CI: 49.4-65.2%) in people who inject drugs, and 75.5% (95% CI: 61.0-87.6%) in populations with liver-related conditions. Across countries/subregions, the pooled mean rate ranged between 62.1% (95% CI: 50.0-72.7%) and 70.4% (95% CI: 65.5-75.1%). Similar pooled estimates were further observed by risk subpopulation, sex, and sampling method. None of the hypothesized population-level predictors of higher viremic rate were statistically significant. Conclusions Two-thirds of HCV antibody positive individuals in MENA are chronically infected. Though there is extensive variation in study-specific measures of HCV viremic rate, pooled mean estimates are similar regardless of risk population or subpopulation, country/subregion, HCV antibody prevalence in the background population, or sex. HCV viremic rate is a useful indicator to track the progress in (and coverage of) HCV treatment programs towards the set target of HCV elimination by 2030.
30 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Dental practitioners were at high risk of getting Needle Stick Injuries in dental offices because there was lack of practice of universal precautions.
Abstract: Background: Needle stick injury has been identified as the foremost health allied concern and the specialty of dentistry is not an exception. Its incidence can be reduced when a dental practitioner is completely proverbial to the standard cross-infection control measures. This study was intended to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices among the dental practitioners regarding Needle Stick Injuries and associated risk factors. Methods: This survey was carried out in the Oral Surgery Department, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan Institute of Oral Health Sciences, Karachi. Dental practitioners of different job categories were conveniently approached by the BDS students. They all were provided with a structured and validated, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test was applied with 5% level of significance. Results: All 100 (55 females and 45 males) practitioners agreed to participate in the study. Prevalence of Needle Stick Injury observed was 30% with no significant relationship with the demographic characteristics. Seventy-four percent of the participants were aware of the universal guidelines. Majority (88%) of the dental personnel believed that recapping of needles should be performed soon after use and 53% knew about needle-less safety devices. These injuries were experienced by 30% of the respondents, of which just 28% were reported. Conclusion: Dental practitioners were at high risk of getting Needle Stick Injuries in dental offices. Most of them had knowledge about it but there was lack of practice of universal precautions. Keywords: Needle Stick Injury, Blood Borne Diseases, Dental Practitioners, precaution, infection
17 citations
Cites background from "Frequency of acute hepatitis C afte..."
...3% in nurses.(8) In United Kingdom, nearly 48% of the nurses have reported that they have been stuck by a needle or sharp instrument used on a patient at some point in their career....
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References
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TL;DR: A multidisciplinary approach will be required to generate suitable technical methods, increase clinician and lay awareness, and identify patients promptly following infection to understand spontaneous and treatment-related recovery.
282 citations
TL;DR: In acute HCV infection, early treatment with peginterferon α2b leads to high virological response rates in individuals who are adherent to treatment, and future studies should identify factors predicting spontaneous viral clearance to avoid unnecessary therapy.
238 citations
TL;DR: Peginterferon alfa-2b monotherapy in acute hepatitis C induces high sustained virologic response rates, prevents chronic evolution, and is well tolerated.
200 citations
TL;DR: There is a high rate of needlestick injuries in the daily routine of a hospital and the rate of such injuries depends on the medical discipline, and implementation of safety devices will lead to an improvement in medical staff’s health and safety.
Abstract: Health care workers (HCWs) are exposed to bloodborne pathogens, especially hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) through job-related risk factors like needlestick, stab, scratch, cut, or other bloody injuries. Needlestick injuries can be prevented by safer devices. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency and causes of needlestick injuries in a German university hospital. Data were obtained by an anonymous, self-reporting questionnaire. We calculated the share of reported needlestick injuries, which could have been prevented by using safety devices. 31.4% (n = 226) of participant HCWs had sustained at least one needlestick injury in the last 12 months. A wide variation in the number of reported needlestick injuries was evident across disciplines, ranging from 46.9% (n = 91/194) among medical staff in surgery and 18.7% (n = 53/283) among HCWs in pediatrics. Of all occupational groups, physicians have the highest risk to experience needlestick injuries (55.1%—n = 129/234). Evaluating the kind of activity under which the needlestick injury occurred, on average 34% (n = 191/561) of all needlestick injuries could have been avoided by the use of safety devices. Taking all medical disciplines and procedures into consideration, safety devices are available for 35.1% (n = 197/561) of needlestick injuries sustained. However, there was a significant difference across various medical disciplines in the share of needlestick injuries which might have been avoidable: Pediatrics (83.7%), gynecology (83.7%), anesthesia (59.3%), dermatology (33.3%), and surgery (11.9%). In our study, only 13.2% (n = 74/561) of needlestick injuries could have been prevented by organizational measures. There is a high rate of needlestick injuries in the daily routine of a hospital. The rate of such injuries depends on the medical discipline. Implementation of safety devices will lead to an improvement in medical staff’s health and safety.
171 citations
TL;DR: An improvement in the ability to diagnose and treat patients with acute hepatitis C would have a significant impact on the prevalence of chronic hepatitis and its associated complications particularly in countries with a high endemic background of the infection.
162 citations