TABLE 1.
Distribution of risk factors among the 747 examined patientsa
| Age group | No. of patients with risk factor
|
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IVDU | Transfusion | Hemodialysis | HRSB | Unknown | Total | |
| 1-19 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 15 |
| 20-29 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 39 | 106 |
| 30-39 | 83 | 12 | 1 | 23 | 112 | 231 |
| 40-49 | 35 | 13 | 3 | 19 | 114 | 184 |
| 50-59 | 4 | 26 | 2 | 6 | 62 | 100 |
| ≥60 | 0 | 38 | 11 | 1 | 64 | 114 |
a
Distribution of the most probable risk factors for acquiring HCV infection in the different age groups. While use of intravenous drugs and engagement in HSRB account for most HCV infections in younger individuals, transfusion of blood products and hemodialysis are the main infection routes in older patients. Although thoroughly investigated, about 50% of the patients neglected to have a recallable risk factor for HCV acquisition.