Viral Hepatitis C: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Transmission, And Natural History

10.2310/im.14070 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raymond T. Chung ◽

Anna Lidofsky ◽

Jacinta A Holmes

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

The United States ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Viral Hepatitis C ◽

Acute Hcv ◽

End Stage

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant global health issue, with more than 71 million infected worldwide and accounting for over 720,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. It can be associated with significant liver-related morbidity and mortality owing to complications from cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. The aging HCV population, together with changing patterns of drug use, has seen an increase in these complications of HCV and an increase in the number of acute HCV infections. Screening and managing complications of chronic hepatitis C are an important consideration. The changing epidemiology, risk factors, transmission, diagnosis, natural history (including complications) and patient evaluation and education are discussed. This review contains 4 figures, 2 tables, and 70 references Key words: epidemiology, hepatitis C virus, transmission, risk factors, natural history, patient education, evaluation

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Viral Hepatitis C: Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Transmission, And Natural History

10.2310/fm.14070 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Raymond T. Chung ◽

Anna Lidofsky ◽

Jacinta A Holmes

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

Virus Transmission ◽

The United States ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Viral Hepatitis C ◽

Acute Hcv ◽

End Stage

Chronic infection with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a significant global health issue, with more than 71 million infected worldwide and accounting for over 720,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. It can be associated with significant liver-related morbidity and mortality owing to complications from cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. The aging HCV population, together with changing patterns of drug use, has seen an increase in these complications of HCV and an increase in the number of acute HCV infections. Screening and managing complications of chronic hepatitis C are an important consideration. The changing epidemiology, risk factors, transmission, diagnosis, natural history (including complications) and patient evaluation and education are discussed. This review contains 4 figures, 2 tables, and 70 references Key words: epidemiology, hepatitis C virus, transmission, risk factors, natural history, patient education, evaluation

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Testing for Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Adults Aged ≥18 in the United States, 2013-2017

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/00333549211047236 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 003335492110472

Author(s):

Hope King ◽

J. E. Soh ◽

William W. Thompson ◽

Jessica Rogers Brown ◽

Karina Rapposelli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Hepatitis C Virus ◽

Liver Disease ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

The United States ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

High School Education ◽

Related Risk ◽

Hcv Testing

Objective Approximately 2.4 million people in the United States are living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of our study was to describe demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, liver disease–related risk factors, and modifiable health behaviors associated with self-reported testing for HCV infection among adults. Methods Using data on adult respondents aged ≥18 from the 2013-2017 National Health Interview Survey, we summarized descriptive data on sociodemographic characteristics and liver disease–related risk factors and stratified data by educational attainment. We used weighted logistic regression to examine predictors of HCV testing. Results During the study period, 11.7% (95% CI, 11.5%-12.0%) of adults reported ever being tested for HCV infection. Testing was higher in 2017 than in 2013 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.18-1.36). Adults with ≥some college were significantly more likely to report being tested (aOR = 1.60; 95% CI, 1.52-1.69) than adults with ≤high school education. Among adults with ≤high school education (but not adults with ≥some college), those who did not have health insurance were less likely than those with private health insurance (aOR = 0.78; 95% CI, 0.68-0.89) to get tested, and non–US-born adults were less likely than US-born adults to get tested (aOR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.68-0.87). Conclusions Rates of self-reported HCV testing increased from 2013 to 2017, but testing rates remained low. Demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and liver disease–related risk factors may affect HCV testing rates among adults. HCV testing must increase to achieve hepatitis C elimination targets.

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Hepatitis C and HIV Co-Infection

10.1093/med/9780199392742.003.0043 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Jennifer Cohen Price ◽

Priyanka Amin ◽

Antoine Douaihy

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Natural History ◽

The United States ◽

Hcv Infection ◽

Hepatic Decompensation ◽

History Of ◽

Chronic Hcv ◽

Direct Acting ◽

End Stage ◽

Shared Risk

Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease and is the most common indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Because of shared risk factors, individuals living with HIV infection are disproportionately affected by HCV. Moreover, co-infection with HIV accelerates the natural history of chronic HCV infection, increasing the risk of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, hepatic decompensation, and death. Highly effective medications such as direct-acting antivirals (DAA) to cure HCV are now available and have the potential to profoundly improve the health of HIV-HCV-co-infected individuals. However, addressing the many gaps in the HCV care cascade is necessary to fully achieve the benefits of these drugs. This chapter reviews the natural history of HIV-HCV co-infection, the psychiatric comorbidities associated with HCV infection, the evolution of HCV treatment, and the barriers to care that HIV-HCV-co-infected individuals continue to face.

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