Objective: A screening campaign requested by the French Health Insurance Fund was performed in the Lyon area to access the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus in patients from 271 general practitioners and to observe the follow-up of the patients with had positive serology. A total of 101 patients had already had hepatitis C virus antibodies and 30 patients had newly detected antibodies against hepatitis C virus. All subject received appropriate medical care. The aim of this study was to analyse medical follow-up.
Methods: Follow-up was performed for one year by the patient's general practitioner or a specialist of liver disease. Clinical, biological, histological and virological data were collected and treatment was proposed when appropriate. Information was gathered anonymously by phone.
Results: Follow-up was regular for 28 patients (93%). During this follow-up, ALAT levels remained within the normal limit for 13 patients (43%) and 6 of them had undetectable viral RNA by PCR. In the other patients (50%), a liver biopsy was affered to 11 patients (40%), and performed in 9 (30%). Treatment was started in 8 patients.
Conclusion: The results of this study on medical follow-up are satisfying. The general practitioner plays a key role in the follow-up of patients infected by hepatitis C virus.