Estimates on HCV disease burden worldwide - filling the gaps

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection poses a substantial global health burden, potentially causing millions of deaths annually from liver cirrhosis and cancer.
• Persistent HCV infection can lead to severe liver disease, highlighting the urgent need for effective management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze epidemiology and disease burden data for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) in 16 countries.
• To assess the impact of new, highly effective but expensive HCV therapies on disease progression and mortality.
• To inform public health policy and guide advocacy for resource allocation and strategic interventions.

Main Methods:

• Compilation and analysis of epidemiological data and disease burden estimates for HCV across 16 diverse countries.
• Evaluation of country-specific variations in HCV-associated liver disease, diagnosis, and treatment uptake.
• Modeling the projected impact of therapy access on future HCV-related mortality.

Main Results:

• The peak of HCV-related cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver-related deaths is projected to occur more than a decade later in most studied countries.
• Significant heterogeneity exists in country-specific HCV disease burden, diagnosis rates, and treatment accessibility.
• Reducing HCV-related mortality is critically dependent on increasing access to effective therapies, as treatment efficacy alone is insufficient with constant treatment numbers.

Conclusions:

• Chronic Hepatitis C is a curable infection with available tools for elimination, and the associated liver disease is reversible.
• Despite the availability of safe and effective treatments, high costs and unequal access hinder progress in combating HCV.
• Urgent public health policy changes, strategic investments, and increased access to therapy are crucial to mitigate the rising HCV disease burden and prevent future deaths.