Aproach of departments, other than the gastroenterology, to incidental anti HCV positive pati̇tents at the Aydin Adnan Menderes University Hospital

HCV infection is one of the main causes of chronic liver disease in the world. It shows significant differences according to geographical regions. There are approximately 71 million chronically infected individuals worldwide, most of whom are unaware of their infections. Despite the existence of effective treatment strategies today, most of the individuals infected with HCV continue to live undiagnosed and untreated. Left untreated, approximately 15-30% of individuals with chronic HCV infection progress to cirrhosis, leading to end-stage liver disease and HCC. The virus usually enters the body through blood and blood products, contaminated medical and surgical instruments and parenterally. However, transmission through sexual contact, intravenous drug use, organ transplantation, nosocomial and family close relationships has also been reported. The ingested virus reaches the liver via blood, multiplies and reveals specific symptoms. Acute hepatitis is usually self-limiting, although it may rarely cause acute hepatic failure. Clearance of HCV is more likely as a stronger immune response develops, especially in people who have experienced an acute infection symptomatically. The aim of our study was to evaluate the HCV-RNA test request rates, the units that requested and did not test in serum samples with anti-HCV positivity, and to examine the referral of these patients to gastroenterology-infectious diseases in terms of diagnosis and treatment. In this study, all randomized Anti-HCV positive patients in Aydın Adnan Menderes University Medical Faculty Practice and Research Hospital between 2013-2022 will be evaluated retrospectively and demographic data will be recorded. After anti-HCV positivity is detected, the rate of consultation to the gastroenterology clinic for follow-up and treatment will be evaluated.