Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in orthopaedic patients at a tertiary hospital in Greece

[Guest guest]

http://www.springerlink.com/content/l14776176427w731/

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology

DOI: 10.1007/s00590-011-0791-0Online FirstT

Original Article

Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in orthopaedic patients at a tertiary

hospital in Greece

Spyros G. Pneumaticos, Christiana Savvidou, Aristotelis Tsiakalos and Nikolaos

V. Sipsas

Abstract

Infections from hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well

represent a continuous risk factor to health care providers, in particular those

working in surgical departments. The aim of this study was to define the

prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses in patients

admitted in an urban, tertiary orthopaedic department in Greece. We

retrospectively studied 1,694 consecutive patients who underwent several

orthopaedic procedures. All patients were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV

infections. Sixty-six (3.9%) of the patients were seropositive for at least one

of the studied viruses. Thirty (1.7%) were positive for HBV, 34 (2%) for HCV and

2 (0.1%) for HIV. The majority of the seropositive patients were women (53%),

urban areas citizens (89.4%), and of Greek nationality (83.3%).

Non-Greek nationality was the only significantly predictive factor for

seropositivity (÷2 = 590.2, P < 0.001). The majority of patients were not aware

of their infection. A significant percentage of patients cared for at a Greek

orthopaedic department were seropositive for blood-borne viruses. Non-Greek

nationality is a risk factor. We believe that these data will increase awareness

and will promote safer practices among health care providers in orthopaedic

units.

[Guest guest]

http://www.springerlink.com/content/l14776176427w731/

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology

DOI: 10.1007/s00590-011-0791-0Online FirstT

Original Article

Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and HCV in orthopaedic patients at a tertiary

hospital in Greece

Spyros G. Pneumaticos, Christiana Savvidou, Aristotelis Tsiakalos and Nikolaos

V. Sipsas

Abstract

Infections from hepatitis viruses and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well

represent a continuous risk factor to health care providers, in particular those

working in surgical departments. The aim of this study was to define the

prevalence of HIV, hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses in patients

admitted in an urban, tertiary orthopaedic department in Greece. We

retrospectively studied 1,694 consecutive patients who underwent several

orthopaedic procedures. All patients were tested for HIV, HBV and HCV

infections. Sixty-six (3.9%) of the patients were seropositive for at least one

of the studied viruses. Thirty (1.7%) were positive for HBV, 34 (2%) for HCV and

2 (0.1%) for HIV. The majority of the seropositive patients were women (53%),

urban areas citizens (89.4%), and of Greek nationality (83.3%).

Non-Greek nationality was the only significantly predictive factor for

seropositivity (÷2 = 590.2, P < 0.001). The majority of patients were not aware

of their infection. A significant percentage of patients cared for at a Greek

orthopaedic department were seropositive for blood-borne viruses. Non-Greek

nationality is a risk factor. We believe that these data will increase awareness

and will promote safer practices among health care providers in orthopaedic

units.