Anti-HCV seropositivity in dialysis patients

This cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of anti-hepatitis antibodies and associated factors in dialysis patients. Data were collected from records of all patients receiving dialysis treatment [n=1,261] in the city of Porto Alegre, in Southern Brazil, from August to December 2003. The statistical analyses used Chi-squared and the linear tendency test. Prevalence ratios were also calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed through Cox regression. The prevalence of anti-hepatitis antibodies was of 29.1%, and was higher among patients treated by hemo-dialysis where there was no segregation of seropositive and seronegative patients and where dialyzers were reused. This association remained even when controlling for confounding factors. Patients who received blood transfusions had a linear increase in the prevalence of anti-hepatitis antibodies. The duration of dialysis treatment showed a dose-response curve with the prevalence of anti-hepatitis antibodies.