New Face of Hepatitis C.

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Infectious Diseases
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection presents a substantial global health burden.
• Recent advancements in HCV treatment have not fully mitigated its prevalence.
• The opioid epidemic and injection drug use are primary drivers of ongoing HCV transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the changing demographics of individuals with chronic hepatitis C viral (HCV) infection.
• To understand the impact of evolving risk factors, such as injection drug use, on HCV epidemiology.
• To inform revised screening, outreach, and care engagement strategies for HCV.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological analysis of HCV infection trends.
• Review of demographic shifts in HCV-infected populations.
• Assessment of risk factors, including injection drug use, and their correlation with HCV infection and fibrosis progression.

Main Results:

• HCV epidemiology is shifting from older demographics to younger adults (20-39 years).
• Infection rates are becoming more balanced between men and women and increasingly affect non-Hispanic whites.
• Injection drug use is a key factor in the changing demographics and may influence fibrosis progression.

Conclusions:

• Awareness of the evolving HCV demographic landscape is crucial.
• Screening, outreach, and care engagement recommendations require revision to identify at-risk populations effectively.
• Targeted interventions are needed to combat the rising incidence of HCV driven by the opioid epidemic.