Background: A test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is essential to identify persons with active, or current, HCV infection. We assessed trends in HCV RNA testing following a positive HCV antibody result among persons in 4 large healthcare organizations.
Methods: Data collected from adults with ≥2 clinical encounters during 2003-2010 were analyzed to determine the frequency of, interval between, and factors associated with having an RNA test after a first positive HCV antibody test.
Results: From 2003-2010, 5860 persons had a positive antibody test, of whom 3570 (60.9%) had a follow-up RNA test. During this period, the annual frequency of persons with an eventual RNA test did not change significantly; however, the fraction of persons who had the follow-up RNA test within 6 months improved significantly, from 45% in 2003 to 57% in 2010 (P < .001, for trend). Persons born during 1945-1965, men, and those with annual income <$30 000 (by census geocode) were less likely to have had a follow-up RNA test done within 6 months of a positive antibody test.
Conclusions: Less than two-thirds of persons with a positive HCV antibody test had a follow-up RNA test. Rapid ascertainment of HCV infection status with reflex testing to RNA is critical to identify persons eligible for treatment.
Keywords: diagnosis; hepatitis C virus; infection; testing.
Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2014. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.