Screening for hepatitis C in psychiatric population

INTRODUCTION: A meta-analysis from 2016 estimates prevalence of hepatitis C to be superior in people with severe mental illness than general population. In France, positivity for hepatitis C is estimated at 0,75% of general population and 0.3% with a detectable viral load. No recent study was conducted to determine seroprevalence of hepatitis C in population admitted in psychiatric institution. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are to determine seroprevalence of hepatitis C in population admitted in psychiatric institution and describe the profile of infected patients. METHODS: From january 2020 to october 2020, screening test for hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV was proposed to every patient admitted at the reception unit of Ravenel Hospital. In case of positivity, viral load was realised. RESULTS: Between January 7(th) and Octobre 1(st) , 407 patients greed to the screening test. Among them, 17 (4,2%) were tested positive to hepatits C and viral load was detectable in 9/17 positives, which lead to a 2,2% seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection in the studied population. The patients with positive screening had a mean age of 40 years old. 82% of them were males. 16 admit using intoxicating substances and 10 were still current users at the time of the study. They were hospitalized for addictology purpose (5/17), psychosis (6/17), mood disorder (5/17), personality disorder (2/17), adjustement disorder (2/7). 10/17 had an alcohol use disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms seroprevalence of hepatitis C infection in psychiatric population is seven times that of general population. This justifies a systematic screening of this population. DISCLOSURE: No significant relationships.