LETTER
Blood Donors with Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus
Robert S. Klein, MD
15 May 1996 | Volume 124 Issue 10 | Page 930
TO THE EDITOR:
Shakil and colleagues [1] present interesting data on the correlations of clinical, biochemical, virologic, and histologic findings in persons with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Their findings are consistent with and expand on those of previous reports. It is important to note, however, the limitations of the study design suggesting that caution should be taken in generalizing some of Shakil and colleagues' findings.
Of the 3653 blood donors who were positive for the antibody to HCV, were screened between 1991 and 1993, and were asked to participate in a long-term follow-up study, only 460 (12.6%) agreed to participate. Of the 197 persons whose serum was reactive by a second-generation immunoblot assay and who were contacted, 60 (30.5%) agreed to participate and were included in the study. Thus, only a small fraction of eligible persons were studied. No information was given about eligible persons who were not studied.
Participants with a history of alcoholism, intravenous drug use, symptoms suggestive of hepatitis, or other characteristics might have been more or less likely to agree to participate in the study. Thus, selection bias is possible. Additional information on the characteristics of persons who did not participate and their reasons for declining participation would be helpful.
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Author and Article Information
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Montefiore Medical Center; Bronx, NY 10467
1. Shakil AO, Conry-Cantilena C, Alter HJ, Hayashi P, Kleiner DE, Tedeschi V, et al. Volunteer blood donors with antibody to hepatitis C virus: clinical, biochemical, virologic, and histologic features. Ann Intern Med. 1995; 123:330-7.
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