[Prevalence of coinfection by human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus in the Leon Health Area: 1992-2000].

Objective: To ascertain the prevalence of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) coinfection in the Health Area of León in the period of 1992 to 2000.

Patients, Material And Methods: The study included patients with HIV infection, residing for at least two years in the area, and attended at the Department of Internal Medicine of León Hospital. Sociodemographic information and risk behavior were recorded. Data from the Municipal Census of 1 May 1996 were used to calculate prevalence. Statistical analyses were carried out with the chi-square test or analysis of variance, according to the cases.

Results: The prevalence of HCV infection among HIV-positive patients was 56.8%. Coinfected men were younger than women and coinfection was higher in the parenteral transmission than in the sexual transmission groups. Prevalence was estimated at 53.2 cases per 100,000 inhabitants of the Area (82.7 for men and 25.7 for women). The groups showing the highest prevalence were men aged 25-34 and 35-44 years. The epidemiology of the coinfection was mainly attributable to injected drug use. There was a decrease in the number of coinfection cases diagnosed during the study period.

Conclusions: The prevalence of HIV/HCV coinfection in the León Health Area was lower than the rate estimated for Spain as a whole owing to a lower incidence of HIV infection and intravenous drug use. Nevertheless, HIV/HCV coinfection is a major public health problem, and resources should be allocated for its prevention and treatment.