Prevalence of Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and HIV Among Hepatitis C-Seropositive State Hospital Patients: Results From Oregon State Hospital

Background: Multiple studies have shown that individuals with severe mental illness are at increased risk for acquiring infection from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Moreover, patients with chronic HCV infection are at risk for fulminant hepatitis from acquired infection with hepatitis A virus (HAV) or HBV, but there are limited data on the prevalence of HIV, HAV, and HBV in chronically hospitalized U.S. psychiatric patients without mental retardation who are HCV-seropositive. To address this issue, a comprehensive screening program was commenced at Oregon State Hospital (Salem, Ore.) beginning in 1999.

Method: The computerized records of all nongeriatric adult inpatients at Oregon State Hospital on April 23, 2001, were reviewed to assess physician compliance with screening and the prevalence of infection with HIV, HAV, HBV, and HCV.

Results: Among the 535 patient records reviewed, 94.8% of patients were screened for HCV, of whom 20.3% were seropositive. Among HCV-seropositive patients, only 1.9% were not screened for HAV and HBV, but 23.3% were not tested for HIV. In the HCV-seropositive group, 35.9% were HAV-positive, 49.5% HBV-positive, and 2.6% HIV-positive.

Conclusion: Chronic psychiatric inpatients have high HCV prevalence rates. Hepatitis C-seropositive individuals may be at risk for complications unless vaccinated for HAV and HBV.