Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Viral RNA testing in hepatitis C antibody-positive veterans.

Rongey CA, Kanwal F, Hoang T, Gifford AL, Asch SM. Viral RNA testing in hepatitis C antibody-positive veterans. American journal of preventive medicine. 2009 Mar 1; 36(3):235-8.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection affects approximately 1.3% of the U.S. population. As up to 30% of HCV-antibody (anti-HCV)-positive patients have negative HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA), indicating resolution of infection, VA (Veterans Affairs) guidelines recommend RNA testing on all anti-HCV-positive patients. As HCV RNA testing is a prequel to treatment, perceived eligibility for treatment may influence the decision to order an RNA test. This study was designed to determine the patient and healthcare facility factors associated with patient receipt of HCV RNA testing. METHODS: Two logistic regression analyses were conducted in anti-HCV-positive patients, including the entire sample and then on a subsample excluding sites with routine HCV RNA testing policies, using data stored in the VA Southern California Network data warehouse. Significant patient- and site-level predictors of patient receipt of HCV RNA testing were determined. RESULTS: Of the 13,257 antibody-positive patients, 76% received HCV RNA testing. Excluding sites with routine HCV RNA testing, patients aged > 65 years (RR = 0.79) and illicit drug users (RR = 0.94) were significantly less likely to receive HCV RNA testing. Patients with abnormal transaminases (RR = 1.14), presence of non-HCV hepatitis (RR = 1.08), or decompensated liver disease (RR = 1.22) were significantly more likely to receive HCV RNA testing. CONCLUSIONS: Without policies for routine RNA testing, patients with hepatitic C who either are aged > 65 years or are illicit drug users are less likely to be tested. Also, patient receipt of RNA testing becomes dependent on clinical cues of hepatic decompensation or inflammation. The results support the implementation of routine RNA testing for anti-HCV-positive patients.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.