Core indicators related to the elimination of hepatitis B and C virus infection in South Korea: A nationwide study
Authors
Chang Hun Lee ; Gwang Hyeon Choi ; Hwa Young Choi ; Sojung Han ; Eun Sun Jang ; Young Eun Chon ; Young Chang ; Kyung-Ah Kim ; Do Young Kim ; Hyung Joon Yim ; Hye-Lin Kim ; Sook-Hyang Jeong ; In Hee Kim
Citation
CLINICAL AND MOLECULAR HEPATOLOGY, Vol.29(3) : 779-793, 2023-07
Diagnostic screening programs ; Hepatitis B ; Hepatitis C ; Incidence ; Mortality
Abstract
Background/Aims: To eliminate hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria in 2021, this study investigated the national core indicators representing the current status of viral hepatitis B and C in South Korea.
Methods: We analyzed the incidence, linkage-to-care, treatment, and mortality rates of HBV and HCV infection using the integrated nationwide big data of South Korea.
Results: According to data from 2018–2020, the incidence of acute HBV infection in South Korea was 0.71 cases per 100,000 population; tthe linkage-to-care rate was only 39.4%. Among those who need hepatitis B treatment, the treatment rate was 67.3%, which was less than 80% reported in the WHO program index. The annual liver-related mortality due to HBV was 18.85 cases per 100,000 population, exceeding the WHO target of four; the most frequent cause of death was liver cancer (54.1%). The annual incidence of newly diagnosed HCV infection was 11.9 cases per 100,000 population, which was higher than the WHO impact target of five. Among HCV-infected patients, the linkage-to-care rate was 65.5% while the treatment rate was 56.8%, which were below the targets of 90% and 80%, respectively. The liver-related annual mortality rate due to HCV infection was 2.02 cases per 100,000 population.
Conclusions: Many of the current indicators identified in the Korean population did not satisfy the WHO criteria for validation of viral hepatitis elimination. Hence, a comprehensive national strategy should be urgently developed with continuous monitoring of the targets in South Korea.