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Published on: December 15, 2023
[Hepatitis C in Poland in 2009]
Magdalena Rosińska1, Małgorzata Stepień
1Zakład Epidemiologii Narodowego Instytutu Zdrowia Publicznego--Państwowego Zakładu Higieny w Warszawie. mrosinska@pzh.gov.pl
Insights
Poland observed a decrease in hepatitis C incidence and mortality in 2009, with improved treatment accessibility likely contributing to reduced deaths. Case definitions require refinement for accurate trend monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Virology
Context:
- In 2009, Poland utilized two distinct case definitions for reporting hepatitis C cases.
- The 2005 definition included clinical signs or elevated liver function tests confirmed by antibody tests.
- The 2009 definition encompassed all laboratory-confirmed cases.
Purpose:
- To analyze and compare hepatitis C case reporting using two different definitions in Poland.
- To assess the incidence and mortality trends of hepatitis C in Poland for 2009.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of case definitions in monitoring hepatitis C trends and disease burden.
Summary:
- In 2009, Poland registered 1,939 hepatitis C cases using the 2005 definition (incidence rate: 5.08/100,000), continuing a downward trend since 2006.
- Under the 2009 definition, 1,891 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported, highlighting potential reporting completeness issues.
- Hepatitis C mortality decreased significantly in 2009, with 82 deaths (2 acute, 80 chronic), marking the first substantial reduction since 1996.
Impact:
- The findings underscore the need for improved reporting completeness and suggest the temporary continuation of the 2005 definition for reliable trend monitoring.
- The observed decrease in mortality coincides with enhanced treatment accessibility, suggesting a positive impact of improved care.
- This study provides crucial data for public health strategies aimed at controlling and eliminating hepatitis C in Poland.
Abstract:
In 2009 in Poland reported cases of hepatitis C we classified independently according to two case definitions. One covered cases with clinical signs or elevated liver function tests confirmed by antibody test (2005 case definition) and the other one, implemented in 2009, all laboratory confirmed cases. In 2009 there were 1,939 cases of hepatitis C (2005 definition) registered in Poland, with the incidence rate of 5.08 per 100 000. A continued decrease in incidence of hepatitis C has been observed since 2006. On the other hand 1,891 cases were reported to meet the 2009 case definition. This points to the need of improving reporting completeness and justifies temporary continuation of use of the 2005 definition for the purpose of trend monitoring, although it may not reflect well the burden of illness. There were 82 deaths due to hepatitis C in 2009 in Poland including 2 deaths of acute and 80 of chronic hepatitis C. This constituted the first important decrease in hepatitis C mortality since 1996, when hepatitis C was included as a separate entity in the census mortality data. This decrease coincided with marked improvement of the treatment accessibility and is likely related to it.
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