Korean J Prev Med.  1991 Dec;24(4):465-472.

Seroprevalence of antibody to the hepatitis C virus in methamphetamine abusers

• Kim JK
• Lee JH
• Cho BM
• Lee SI

Abstract

This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis C virus(HCV) infection in drug abusers. The subjects were 141 inpatients who had been admitted to a general hospital with the symptoms and signs of methamphetamine intoxication. Seroprevalence of antibody to the hepatitis C virus(anti-HCV) was 60.3%,(85/141) and it was higher in the group with increased frequency and duration of drug abuse, but such a relationship was not found in the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg). These findings suggested the possibility of high prevalence of HCV infection in methamphetamine abusers, and the importance of repetitive percutaneous injection in the transmission of HCV infection.

Keyword

seroprevalence; anti-HCV; methamphetamine abusers

MeSH Terms

Drug Users
Hepacivirus*
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C*
Hepatitis*
Hospitals, General
Humans
Inpatients
Methamphetamine*
Prevalence
Seroepidemiologic Studies*
Substance-Related Disorders
Methamphetamine