One hundred and two consecutive patients scheduled
for hip or knee arthroplasty were studied from July 1998
to May 2000, to detect the prevalence of serologic markers of
B (HBV) and C (HCV) hepatitis viruses, and its preoperative
association with risk or predictive factors. Mean age was
70±6 years, and women predominated. Prevalence of HBV
surface antigen was 1,96%, that of HBV anti-core antibody
was 26,47%, and no positive markers were observed against
HCV. None of variables evaluated as risk or predictive factors
showed significant association with presence of serum markers,
except previous liver disease. The studied group of
patients, representative of the scheduled patients for total hip
or knee arthroplasty in our area, does not suggest a higher
risk of viral hepatitis transmission. However, a higher number
of contacts with HBV than in younger populations has been
observed in this group.

One hundred and two consecutive patients scheduled
for hip or knee arthroplasty were studied from July 1998
to May 2000, to detect the prevalence of serologic markers of
B (HBV) and C (HCV) hepatitis viruses, and its preoperative
association with risk or predictive factors. Mean age was
70±6 years, and women predominated. Prevalence of HBV
surface antigen was 1,96%, that of HBV anti-core antibody
was 26,47%, and no positive markers were observed against
HCV. None of variables evaluated as risk or predictive factors
showed significant association with presence of serum markers,
except previous liver disease. The studied group of
patients, representative of the scheduled patients for total hip
or knee arthroplasty in our area, does not suggest a higher
risk of viral hepatitis transmission. However, a higher number
of contacts with HBV than in younger populations has been
observed in this group.