Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines as elderly any person aged over 60 years old. Currently in Brazil the elderly are approximately 15 million people and although they live longer have more chronic conditions due to decline in most physiological functions, including immune system, increasing susceptibility and a higher incidence of infectious diseases. Viral hepatitis has a worldwide distribution and is infectious diseases that present epidemiological, clinical and laboratory differences. It is estimated that 350 million people are chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide and, although less prevalent than hepatitis B, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most common cause of chronic hepatitis with about 180 million infected individuals. While the knowledge about the pathogenesis, course and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis have advanced in recent years, there is still little knowledge about their course and treatment in the elderly population, especially in Brazil, justifying the relevance of this study, whose general objective is to evaluate the prevalence of chronic viral hepatitis B and C in the elderly population living in Botucatu-SP. Will be held with about 900 elderly enrolled in Basic Health Units, the Family Health Units, assisted by the Pastoral of the Elderly, participants of Social Centers for Seniors and residents of long-term institutions. The volunteers, after having signed an informed consent (IC), will undergo serological tests in their homes for the detection of anti-HBs, HBsAg and Anti HBc IgG, where 5 ml of blood will be collected by venipuncture with syringe and disposable needle. After this procedure, samples will be properly packaged and transported for laboratory analysis. To obtain the diagnosis kit's will be asked help to the Foundation for Research Support of São Paulo - FAPESP. For detection of anti-HCV digital serological tests will be done (HCV Rapid Test Bioeasy®), provided by Schering Plough Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry S.A. (AU)
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