The goal of this monocentric prospective observational study is to evaluate the prevalence of unknown hepatitis C virus chronic infection in general population born before january 1st 1968 in Italy. The main questions it aims to answer are: what is the prevalence of hepatits C virus infection in general population born before January 1st, 1968? What rare the characteristics of these patients compared to the general population? What is the prevalence of patients tested HCV positive who are referred to the Hepatology Outpatient Clinic for further evaluation? What is the prevalence of patients with HCV infection detected during the study and treated with direct antiviral agents during follow up? Participants will be tested with a point of care screening test (Meridian, Bioscience) able to detect anti-HCV antibodies to detect the presence of antibodies against HCV.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
4,000
Point of care evaluation of antibodies against HCV obtaining a drop of capillary blood via puncture of the fingertip. If antibodies were detected, HCV RNA assay will be performed.
prevalence of antibodies against hepatitis C virus in cohort population
Evaluation of prevalence of antibodies against HCV in patients referred to any department of Policlinico Gemelli born before January 1st 1968
Time frame: 24 months
Characteristics of population
Time frame: 24 months
Prevalence of patients with a confirmed chronic HCV infection who are referred to Hepatology Outpatient clinic
Time frame: 24 months
Prevalence of patients with a confirmed chronic HCV infection who are treated with direct antiviral agents
Time frame: 24 months
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