Profile of people treated for hepatitis C: a descriptive study, Pelotas, Brazil, 2023.
- 1Universidade Católica de Pelotas PelotasRS Brazil Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
- 2Universidade Federal de Pelotas PelotasRS Brazil Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
Abstract
Objective
To describe the clinical-epidemiological profile of hepatitis C in individuals treated in Pelotas in 2023.Methods
This was a descriptive study, using data from medical records held at the Injectable Medication Administration and Follow-up Center. Characteristics of the individuals and the disease at the beginning of treatment were used, such as demographic variables, weight, origin of follow-up (public, private), viral load, genotyping, liver fibrosis staging, cirrhosis, human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, and treatment effectiveness. Analyses were stratified by sex, and differences were evaluated by Independent Samples t-test, Wilcoxon test or Fisher's exact test.Results
102 individuals were followed up, i.e. 59 males and 43 females, with mean ages of 52.4 and 57.1 years (p-value 0.037). Human immunodeficiency virus coinfection was 5.9%. 35% of patients assessed underwent genotyping, with type 1 being the most frequent in males and type 3 in females. Adherence among public sector health professionals to the Ministry of Health liver fibrosis staging protocol was higher than among those working in the private sector. One male and six females presented an advanced degree of liver fibrosis (Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index ≥2) (p-value 0.049) at the start of treatment.Conclusion
Most patients treated for hepatitis C were referred by the public system, with a low degree of fibrosis, although one-third presented some degree of cirrhosis. Disease staging was assessed primarily among public system users. Females were the majority regarding being at an advanced stage of the natural history of the disease. Sustained virological response occurred predominantly among males.
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BibTeX
@article{santos2026profile,
title = {{Profile of people treated for hepatitis C: a descriptive study, Pelotas, Brazil, 2023.}},
author = {Gabriela Breitenbach Santos and Iná da Silva Dos Santos and Fernanda Pedrotti Moreira},
journal = {Epidemiologia e servicos de saude : revista do Sistema Unico de Saude do Brasil},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1590/s2237-96222026v35e20250022.en},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42922934},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Profile of people treated for hepatitis C: a descriptive study, Pelotas, Brazil, 2023.
AU - Gabriela Breitenbach Santos
AU - Iná da Silva Dos Santos
AU - Fernanda Pedrotti Moreira
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/22
JO - Epidemiologia e servicos de saude : revista do Sistema Unico de Saude do Brasil
DO - 10.1590/s2237-96222026v35e20250022.en
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42922934
AB - Objective To describe the clinical-epidemiological profile of hepatitis C in individuals treated in Pelotas in 2023.Methods This was a descriptive study, using data from medical records held at the Injectable Medication Administration and Follow-up Center. Characteristics of the individuals and the disease at the beginning of treatment were used, such as demographic variables, weight, origin of follow-up (public, private), viral load, genotyping, liver fibrosis staging, cirrhosis, human immunodeficiency virus coinfection, and treatment effectiveness. Analyses were stratified by sex, and differences were evaluated by Independent Samples t-test, Wilcoxon test or Fisher's exact test.Results 102 individuals were followed up, i.e. 59 males and 43 females, with mean ages of 52.4 and 57.1 years (p-value 0.037). Human immunodeficiency virus coinfection was 5.9%. 35% of patients assessed underwent genotyping, with type 1 being the most frequent in males and type 3 in females. Adherence among public sector health professionals to the Ministry of Health liver fibrosis staging protocol was higher than among those working in the private sector. One male and six females presented an advanced degree of liver fibrosis (Aspartate Aminotransferase-to-Platelet Ratio Index ≥2) (p-value 0.049) at the start of treatment.Conclusion Most patients treated for hepatitis C were referred by the public system, with a low degree of fibrosis, although one-third presented some degree of cirrhosis. Disease staging was assessed primarily among public system users. Females were the majority regarding being at an advanced stage of the natural history of the disease. Sustained virological response occurred predominantly among males.
SN - 1679-4974
SN - 2237-9622
ER -