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Changing trends in hepatitis C-related mortality in the United States, 1995-2004

Matthew Wise1, Stephanie Bialek, Lyn Finelli

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, USA. mawise@ph.lacounty.gov

Hepatology (Baltimore, Md.)
|March 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hepatitis C mortality in the US increased 123% from 1995-2004, especially in older males and minority groups. Despite recent declines, rates continue to rise in those aged 55-64, highlighting hepatitis C as a significant cause of premature death.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a growing disease burden in the US.
  • Increasing numbers of individuals with long-standing chronic hepatitis C infections are predicted to drive future mortality.
  • Understanding trends in hepatitis C-related deaths is crucial for public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze hepatitis C mortality rates in the United States from 1995 to 2004.
  • To identify demographic groups disproportionately affected by hepatitis C mortality.
  • To assess the impact of hepatitis C on potential years of life lost.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of US Census and multiple-cause-of-death data from 1995-2004.
  • Inclusion criteria for hepatitis C-related deaths: HCV as underlying cause, chronic liver disease with HCV as contributing cause, or HIV with chronic liver disease and HCV as contributing causes.
  • Calculation of mortality rates per 100,000 persons and years of potential life lost.

Main Results:

  • A total of 56,409 hepatitis C-related deaths were identified between 1995 and 2004.
  • Overall mortality rates increased by 123%, from 1.09 to 2.44 per 100,000 persons.
  • Increases were higher among males, non-Hispanic blacks, and Native Americans; rates continued to rise in those aged 55-64, despite a slight overall decline after 2002.

Conclusions:

  • Hepatitis C mortality has significantly increased since 1995.
  • Hepatitis C remains an important cause of premature mortality in the United States.
  • Targeted interventions are needed, particularly for aging populations and specific demographic groups experiencing rising mortality rates.
Abstract

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