Comparison of the 7 patients who tested positive versus those testing negative for anti-HCV antibodies.
| HCV – Patients, no. (%) N = 801 | HCV + Patients no. (%) N = 7 | p | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male/female | 189/612 | 0 | |
| Hx of blood transfusion | 78 (9.7) | 3 (42.8) | 0.02 |
| Diabetes | 31 (3.8) | 0 (0) | 0.59 |
| Morning stiffness > 30 min | 683 (85.2) | 6 (85.7) | 0.96 |
| Swollen joints, ≥ 3 | 642 (80.1) | 7 (100) | 0.19 |
| Hand synovitis | 744 (92.8) | 7 (100) | 0.47 |
| Symmetric synovitis | 611 (76.2) | 6 (85.7) | 0.57 |
| Nodes | 17 (2.1) | 0 (0) | 0.69 |
| Normal radiographs | 690 (86.14) | 6 (85.7) | 0.95 |
| Positive IgM RF | 334 (41.6) | 4 (57.1) | 0.41 |
| ALAT > 40 | 83 (10.3) | 1 (14.2) | 0.73 |
| ASAT > 40 | 42 (5.2) | 2 (28.5) | 0.007 |
HCV: hepatitis C virus; RF: rheumatoid factor; ASAT: aspirate aminotransferase; Hx: history; ALAT: alanine aminotransferase; normal limit for aminotransferases < 40.