Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40625131›Full record

ArticleCentral European journal of public health2025

Colorectal cancer screening to identify undiagnosed hepatitis C in an Austrian cohort.

Hannah Hofer, Sebastian Bachmayer, Hannah Oberthaler, Georg Semmler, Sarah Wernly, Sophie Gensluckner, Lea Maria Stangassinger, Bernhard Wernly, Ursula Huber-Schönauer, Bernhard Paulweber and 3 more

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Article in Central European journal of public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Hannah HoferDepartment of Internal Medicine, Saint John of God Hospital, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria.
Sebastian BachmayerDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University, Oberndorf, Austria.
Hannah OberthalerBiomedical Sciences, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Salzburg, Austria.
Georg SemmlerDivision of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Sarah WernlyDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University, Oberndorf, Austria.
Sophie GenslucknerClinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria.
Lea Maria StangassingerBiomedical Sciences, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Salzburg, Austria.
Bernhard WernlyClinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria.
Ursula Huber-SchönauerDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria.
Bernhard PaulweberClinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria.
Elmar AignerClinic I for Internal Medicine, University Hospital Salzburg, Paracelsus Medical Private University, Salzburg, Austria.
Gertie Janneke OostinghBiomedical Sciences, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, Salzburg, Austria.
Christian DatzDepartment of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Oberndorf, Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University, Oberndorf, Austria.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant public health concern despite the introduction of direct acting antiviral agents. To reach the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030, adequate screening strategies and early diagnosis are crucial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in an Austrian cohort and assess the feasibility of incorporating HCV screening into colorectal screening programmes.

methodsThe study enrolled 1,894 asymptomatic individuals during a colorectal screening programme with a mean age of 57 (± 7 years) years. Sera of the participants were screened for HCV-specific antibodies, and blood samples of individuals with detectable HCV-specific antibodies were tested by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to confirm a chronic HCV infection. Furthermore, we evaluated the characteristics of these individuals including their anthropometrics, biomarkers, and liver-specific information such as those obtained with a fibroscan.

resultsWe found that 14 (0.74%) of the participants had detectable levels of HCV-specific antibodies, with 6 (0.32%) individuals being newly diagnosed with a chronic HCV infection. One of the 6 patients showed signs of liver cirrhosis. The newly diagnosed individuals included 4 cases of HCV genotype 1a and 2 cases of 1b.

conclusionOur study highlights the importance of screening for HCV infection in asymptomatic individuals, not only for those at risk of HCV exposure or with elevated liver enzymes. Incorporating HCV screening into colorectal screening programmes could be an effective strategy for increasing the rate of HCV diagnosis, thereby improving public health outcomes. Further investigation is needed regarding cost-effectiveness and strategies to reach individuals who have no access to screening programmes or do not adhere to regular preventive screenings.

Indexed as

Colorectal NeoplasmsEarly Detection of CancerHepatitis CHepatitis C, ChronicMass ScreeningAgedAustriaCohort StudiesFemaleHepatitis C AntibodiesHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceHepatitis C Antibodieschronic HCV infectionHCVHCV genotypeHCV screeningpopulation-based screening

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.