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Semin Liver Dis 2011; 31(4): 331-339
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1297922
© Thieme Medical Publishers

What Is Killing People with Hepatitis C Virus Infection?

Jason Grebely1 , Gregory J. Dore1
  • 1Viral Hepatitis Clinical Research Program, The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
21 December 2011 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The burden of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related morbidity and mortality continues to rise. Progression to advanced liver disease among HCV-infected individuals generally requires decades, but we are entering an era where those infected with HCV in the 1970s and 1980s are at significant risk of mortality. Liver disease has overtaken drug-related harm as the major cause of mortality in HCV-infected individuals in many settings. Direct-acting antiviral therapies have provided renewed optimism, but HCV treatment uptake will need to increase markedly to reduce liver disease mortality. This review provides updated information on the natural history of HCV, disease-specific causes of mortality among people with HCV, estimates and projections of HCV-related disease burden and mortality and individual and population-level strategies to reduce mortality. The considerable variability in mortality rates within subpopulations of people with HCV will be outlined, such as in people who inject drugs and those with HIV co-infection.

KEYWORDS

Hepatitis C virus - assessment - treatment - care - barriers

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Professor Gregory J. Dore

The Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society, University of New South Wales

CFI Building, Corner of Boundary and West Streets, Sydney NSW 2010, Australia

Email: gdore@kirby.unsw.edu.au