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Epidemiological and clinical aspects of acute hepatitis C in north-eastern Poland
E Sokolewicz-Bobrowska1, A Grzeszczuk, R Flisiak
1Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical Academy of Białystok.
Insights
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are increasingly common, particularly among hospital-associated cases and city residents. Acute hepatitis C presents a milder clinical course compared to hepatitis B, with lower liver enzyme and bilirubin levels.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an increasingly common cause of progressive liver disease.
- Reliable diagnostic assays have improved the identification of HCV infections.
- Acute hepatitis cases admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases were analyzed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiological data of acute hepatitis C.
- To compare the clinical course of acute hepatitis C with acute hepatitis B.
- To investigate the increasing frequency of acute hepatitis C in the Białystok region.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 51 out of 798 patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis.
- Epidemiological data collection on patient demographics and infection source.
- Comparison of clinical parameters (aminotransferases, bilirubin) between hepatitis C and hepatitis B patients.
Main Results:
- HCV was diagnosed in 51 patients, with 71% of cases being hospital-associated.
- City residents constituted the majority of acute hepatitis C cases.
- Acute hepatitis C showed a milder clinical course than acute hepatitis B, evidenced by lower aminotransferase and bilirubin levels.
- A rising trend in acute hepatitis C frequency was observed in the Białystok region over the last three years.
Conclusions:
- Hepatitis C is a significant and growing public health concern, especially in hospital settings and urban populations.
- Acute hepatitis C is generally less severe clinically than acute hepatitis B.
- The findings highlight the need for continued surveillance and targeted interventions for hepatitis C prevention and control.
Abstract:
The availability of more reliable assays made infections caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV) emerging as an extremely common and insidiously progressive disease. Since 1993, in 51 out of 798 patients admitted to Department of Infectious Diseases with acute hepatitis, HCV was diagnosed as a causative agent. Seventy one percent of acute hepatitis C cases were hospital associated and city residents represented the majority of all cases. The epidemiological data and clinical course of acute hepatitis C was analysed and compared with acute hepatitis B. The frequency of acute hepatitis C increased during last 3 years in Białystok region. The clinical course of acute hepatitis C was generally milder than acute hepatitis B, with lower aminotransferases activities and bilirubin level.