A nationwide seroepidemiology of hepatitis C virus infection in South Korea
Authors
Do Young Kim ; In Hee Kim ; Sook-Hyang Jeong ; Yong Kyun Cho ; Joon Hyoek Lee ; Young-Joo Jin ; Don Lee ; Dong Jin Suh ; Kwang-Hyub Han ; Neung Hwa Park ; Ha Yan Kang ; Young Kul Jung ; Young Seok Kim0 ; Kyung-Ah Kim ; Youn Jae Lee ; Byung Seok Lee ; Hyung Joon Yim ; Heon Ju Lee ; Soon Koo Baik ; Won Young Tak ; Sun Jae Lee ; Woo Jin Chung ; Sung-Kyu Choi0 ; Eun-Young Cho ; Jeong Heo ; Dong Joon Kim ; Byung-Cheol Song ; Man Woo Kim ; Jun Lee ; Hee Bok Chae ; Dae Hee Choi ; Hwa Young Choi ; Moran Ki
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Biomarkers/blood ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Hepacivirus/genetics ; Hepacivirus/immunology* ; Hepatitis C/blood ; Hepatitis C/diagnosis* ; Hepatitis C/drug therapy ; Hepatitis C/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral/blood ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Residence Characteristics ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult
Keywords
Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use ; Biomarkers/blood ; Chi-Square Distribution ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Hepacivirus/genetics ; Hepacivirus/immunology* ; Hepatitis C/blood ; Hepatitis C/diagnosis* ; Hepatitis C/drug therapy ; Hepatitis C/epidemiology* ; Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; RNA, Viral/blood ; Republic of Korea/epidemiology ; Residence Characteristics ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Sex Distribution ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS:
The aim of this study was to reveal nationwide seroprevalence of HCV infection in South Korea by a large-scale survey.
METHODS:
From January to December 2009, a total of 291 314 adults underwent health check-up in 29 centres nationwide. The data concerning anti-HCV antibody and biochemical tests were obtained from all participants. Among subjects with positive anti-HCV, such data as HCV RNA, genotypes and treatment detail were additionally analysed.
RESULTS:
Using an estimated 2009 population of Korea, the age, sex and area-adjusted anti-HCV positive rate was 0.78%. Anti-HCV prevalence in female patients (0.83%) was higher than that in male patients (0.75%). Gradual increase in anti-HCV positivity was observed, from 0.34% in those aged 20-29 years to 2.31% in those >70 years. The age- and sex-adjusted anti-HCV prevalence varied in different areas, being higher in Busan and Jeonnam (1.53-2.07%), mid-level in Seoul and surrounding districts (0.50-0.61%) and lower in Jeju (0.23%). The comparative analysis of laboratory variables between anti-HCV (+) and anti-HCV (-) group revealed significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase and lower levels of serum lipids in anti-HCV (+) group. Among 1 718 anti-HCV positive subjects, serum HCV RNA was measured only in 478 people, of whom 268 (56.1%) patients had detectable HCV RNA in serum. Among 50 patients for whom assessment of response to antiviral therapy was feasible, overall sustained virological response was achieved in 84% of patients.
CONCLUSION:
The prevalence of HCV infection is low in South Korea. Studies to analyse risk factors are warranted to reduce HCV infection.