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Hepatitis C in Poland in 2013
Natalia Parda1, Magdalena Rosińska1, Małgorzata Stępień1
1Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health-National Institute of Hygiene in Warsaw.
Insights
Hepatitis C (HCV) infections and mortality are increasing in Poland, with 2013 data showing a 15-16% rise in reported cases. This highlights a growing societal burden from undiagnosed chronic HCV infections.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Hepatitis C (HCV) surveillance in Poland began in 1997, but registered cases may not reflect true incidence due to asymptomatic chronic infections and testing practices.
- Changes in HCV case notification regulations can also impact reported data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the epidemiological situation of Hepatitis C in Poland during 2013.
- To analyze trends in HCV incidence and mortality by comparing 2013 data with previous years.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of aggregated data from Poland's routine surveillance system for infectious diseases in 2013.
- Inclusion of mortality data from the Central Statistical Office.
Main Results:
- In 2013, 2,705 HCV infections (incidence 7.03/100,000) were reported, a 15% increase from 2012. 35 co-infections with HCV and HBV were noted.
- 2,641 cases (incidence 6.86/100,000) meeting the 2009 definition were registered, a 16% rise from 2012.
- 175 fatal HCV cases were reported, with only 2 attributed to acute infection.
Conclusions:
- The societal burden of undiagnosed and untreated chronic HCV infections is increasing in Poland.
- Rising HCV mortality and incidence of symptomatic chronic hepatitis C indicate a worsening public health challenge.
Introduction:
Since 1997, hepatitis C (HCV infection) is registered separately in epidemiological surveillance in Poland. Having considered the predominance of chronic infections of long-term asymptomatic course, the number of infections detected in successive years and registered in surveillance system does not reflect the actual dynamics of hepatitis C epidemiological situation. To a large extent, it is dependent on current HCV testing practices. Furthermore, it may also result from modifications introduced to the regulations of HCV case notification.
Objective:
This article aims at evaluating the epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in Poland in 2013 with the reference to the data from previous years.
Materialand Methods:
Epidemiological situation of hepatitis C in Poland was analyzed on a basis of aggregated data from routine surveillance system published in annual bulletin "Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland in 2013"(Czarkowski MP et al. Warsaw: NIPH-NIH and CSI, 2013). Data on hepatitis C mortality was derived from the Demographic Surveys and Labour Market Department of the Central Statistical Office.
Results:
In 2013, a total of 2,705 (incidence 7.03 per 100,000) HCV infections meeting 2005 definition were reported in Poland, including 35 co-infections with HCV and HBV (1.3%). Having compared to 2012, there was an increase in incidence by 15% (2,359; 6.12). In 2013, 2,641 cases (6,86) meeting 2009 definition were registered. Compared to 2012, it was an increase by 16% (2,268; 5.89). In 2013, 175 HCV fatal cases were reported, of whom only 2 were due to the acute stage of disease.
Conclusions:
In recent years, a societal burden resulting from undiagnosed or untreated chronic HCV infections is on the increase. It is demonstrated by high HCV mortality and increasing trend of incidence of symptomatic chronic hepatitis C (2005 definition) and hospitalizations.
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