The management of patients positive to hepatitis C virus antibody in Malta

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide and is an important public health concern. A retrospective analysis of the demographics and management of patients who had a positive anti-HCV detected by enzyme immunoassay test done at Mater Dei Hospital was carried out to analyse the epidemiology of HCV infection in Malta and assess our management when compared to the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) guidelines. 72% of patients were male. The majority of patients were aged 21-50 years. The main mode of infection was via intravenous drugs use, accounting for 68% of cases. Only 56% of patients found to be HCV Ab positive had a scheduled appointment with an infectious diseases specialist or gastroenterologist documented on the MDH online appointment system. 58% of patients had HCV RNA testing done and 45% had genotype testing. 7.3% with HCV infection were given treatment, of which 43% had a Sustained Virological Response (SVR).