Hepatitis C mortality trends in Mexico from 2001 to 2017

We aimed to analyze the trends of total and sex-stratified mortality from hepatitis C virus (HCV) and to estimate the proportion of non-alcoholic liver disease deaths in Mexico attributable to HCV from 2001-2017.

Using the mortality multiple-cause dataset, we selected the codes for acute HCV and chronic HCV to analyze trends from 2001 to 2017. We then estimated the proportion of HCV-related deaths out of non-alcoholic chronic liver disease deaths, by including in the denominator: other acute and chronic viral hepatitis, malignant neoplasm of the liver, liver failure, chronic hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis of the liver, and other inflammatory diseases of the liver. Average percent change (APC) for trends, overall and by sex, were estimated using Joinpoint regression.

The trend in crude mortality rate significantly increased from 2001-2005 (APC 18.4%; 95%CI=12.5, 24.5; p value<0.001), and then significantly decreased from 2013-2017 (APC -6.5%; 95%CI=-10.1, -2.9; p value<0.001). Stratified by sex women experienced a more rapid decline in the 2014-2017 period than men.

HCV mortality seems to have started to decrease, but much remains to be done in terms of prevention, diagnosis, and timely access to treatment.