The Burden of Hepatitis B and C in Asia, 1990-2019: An Update Analysis From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

This research was aimed to uncover the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) related diseases burden in Asia over the past 3 decades, estimating from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019.

Age-standardised rates, case numbers of prevalence, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), incidence and deaths with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI) for HBV/HCV-related diseases from 1990 to 2019 were derived from GBD 2019 database, with the estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) calculated. Our analysis also encompassed the association between the Sociodemographic Index (SDI) and the burden of HBV/HCV-related diseases, future disease burden predictions in six selected countries and various risk factors.

A general downward trend in the age-standardised rates of death, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), prevalence and incidence for both HBV and HCV-related diseases was observed in Asia during the past 30 years. Despite overall declining trends, some analysed diseases experienced an increase. Compared with females, the disease burden was greater in the male population and peaked in the age of 50-54 for both sexes. It is significant for the HBV-related and HCV-related diseases burden in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Mongolia and Pakistan. Drug use and smoking were prominent contributors to HCV and HBV-related diseases. There was a negative relationship between the burden of HCV and HBV-related diseases and SDI.

Although decreases were observed in Asia, the HBV- and HCV-associated diseases burden remained high, highlighting that imperative measures for prevention and treatment should be taken by governments in Asia.