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Updated: May 7, 2026
04:11
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Detection and Quantification of Hepatitis B Virus DNA
Published on: December 15, 2023
Hepatitis C in Poland in 2011.
Magdalena Rosińska1, Natalia Parda, Małgorzata Stepień
1Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Warsaw, Poland. mrosinska@pzh.gov.pl
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny
|September 18, 2013
Summary
Hepatitis C (HCV) diagnosis rates in Poland remain low, particularly in rural areas and among those aged 30-49. Increased testing may explain rising HCV incidence, but low diagnosis rates and rising mortality necessitate improved access to care.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Low diagnosis rates for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections pose a significant public health challenge in Poland.
- Analyzing registered HCV incidence trends alongside prevalence data is crucial for understanding diagnosis rates across different demographics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the epidemiological landscape of Hepatitis C in Poland during 2011.
- To compare the 2011 HCV situation with data from previous years.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive analysis was conducted using data from a mandatory, routine surveillance system.
- Case classifications were rigorously verified against individual case reports, adhering to both 2005 and 2009 definitions.
Main Results:
- In 2011, 2151 cases of Hepatitis C were registered, continuing an upward trend in incidence since 2009 (5.58 per 100,000).
- The diagnosis rate, relative to estimated prevalent cases, was 7.8 per 1,000, with lower rates observed in rural areas, the 30-49 age group, and varying significantly by region.
- A notable increase in HCV-related mortality was observed, rising from 137 deaths in 2009 to a preliminary 191 in 2011 (0.5 per 100,000).
Conclusions:
- The rise in Hepatitis C incidence may stem from intensified screening and testing efforts.
- Low diagnosis rates and increasing mortality underscore the urgent need to enhance access to Hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment services.
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